Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 415: To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to change the time from 12 months to six months waiting for persons who want to avail of the back-to-education allowance in view of the fact that there are 433,000 unemployed; his views on the fact that it is more realistic and for the long-term benefit of young persons to get their benefits through back to education allowance rather that through jobseeker's benefit in view of the fact that it would be a transfer of funds from one section to another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20468/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Back to Education allowance (BETA) scheme, the qualifying period for jobseekers is now three months for participation in a second level course. A twelve month qualifying period applies to third level courses but this is reduced to nine months for those who are participating in the National Employment Action Plan process or engaging with the Department's facilitator programme. People who are awarded statutory redundancy may access the scheme immediately, provided an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment is established prior to commencing an approved course of study.

Conferring eligibility for access to the BTEA scheme on unemployed people is not simply a matter of a transfer of funds from Jobseeker schemes. It is a condition of Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker's Allowance that a recipient must be available for employment and genuinely seeking work. Participants in BTEA are exempted from these requirements.

The maximum duration of Jobseeker's Benefit is 12 months whereas participation in BTEA is not limited to any specific period. A student who fulfils the qualifying conditions can avail of BTEA to progress through courses of education from second level to a third level postgraduate course. In some cases this could extend payment cumulatively to five years or more. In the case of Jobseeker's Allowance, payment can continue while a recipient is unemployed provided their means do not exceed the prescribed limit. For both Jobseeker's Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit, any change in the income of a recipient's spouse or partner may affect the rate payable for a qualified adult. BTEA, however, is paid at a standard weekly rate equivalent to the maximum rate for the scheme from which the unemployed person transfers. It is not means-tested and changes in a participant's personal or family financial circumstances do not affect entitlement. In addition, an annual cost of education allowance of €500 is payable.

The potential for further changes in certain areas was identified by my predecessor to the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs. These concerned duration, access to post-graduate courses, appropriateness of courses and progression. The final shape and scope of such changes are currently under consideration.

The Back to Education Allowance scheme has an important role to play in enhancing the employability skills of jobseekers. 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.