Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 200: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science the qualification criteria for the back to education allowance in view of the recent announcements in relation to the curtailment of entitlement to maintenance grants when persons are in receipt of back to education allowance; the qualifying criteria in respect of the allowance at this stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14435/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Students currently in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) and the maintenance grant will continue to be eligible for both payments for the duration of their current course provided they continue to meet the terms and conditions of the relevant grant schemes.

Students in receipt of BTEA who are entering or progressing to a new course with effect from 2010/11 will no longer be eligible for student maintenance grants but can apply for assistance towards the cost of the student services charge and any fees payable.

The qualification criteria for the BTEA are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.