James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 384: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will award persons (details supplied) in County Longford with mortgage interest supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25040/10]

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

Due to staff action currently being taken in the HSE, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 385: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if, in view of the current economic situation, he will give consideration to including a master's degree as a qualifying subject under the back to education allowance particularly to persons who have been made redundant from the financial and business sectors and which would offer them a wide range of career opportunities when graduated as outlined in the innovation taskforce report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25085/10]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 387: To ask the Minister for Social Protection, if in view of the commitment made by his predecessor at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs on 3 February 2010, the changes that he will make to the back to education allowance in order to allow graduates with primary degrees pursue post graduate and masters programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25109/10]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 385 and 387 together.

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 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 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.