Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 535: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a masters course is eligible for the back to education allowance; if this will extend to a research masters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12757/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The objective of the back to education allowance scheme is to equip people on social welfare payments with qualifications that will enable them to obtain employment in the labour market. The scheme covers courses of education from second level to Higher Diploma level in any discipline [level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)] and to a Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary and Secondary Teaching; level 9 in NFQ) which add significantly to a person's employability. Other postgraduate qualifications such as a Master's (level 9) or Doctoral degrees (level 10) are not included.

A small number of cases have arisen where a college has granted an exemption from the requirement to hold a primary degree and has admitted a person to a Master's course on the basis of relevant life experience. In the context of the ongoing review of the operation of the scheme, it was decided to extend entitlement to back to education allowance in these instances on an exceptional basis.

The nature and structure of the scheme will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changes in the economic climate.