Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1252: To ask the Minister for Social Protection his views on shortening the duration of unemployment before a person becomes eligible for the back to education scheme in view of the fact that so many people are losing their jobs in areas in which opportunities may not arise again and need to undertake retraining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32352/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to remove the barriers to participation in second and third level education by enabling eligible people on social welfare to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads to a higher qualification than that already held.

Changes have been introduced to BTEA to increase flexibility in terms of qualifying for the scheme, with some practical changes to its qualifying conditions coming into effect from 19th July 2010. Previously, a person who wished to take up a 3rd level course of education could do so after getting a jobseeker or other relevant social welfare payment for 12 months, or 9 months, only if approved by a facilitator of the Department. Since 19th July this period has been set at 9 months for all applicants who are attending 3rd level education (a 2 year qualifying period continues to apply to participants coming from Illness Benefit). 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.

Prior to July, a person could only apply for BTEA in respect of a 3rd level course if s/he was commencing year one of the course. Since 19th July, a person can avail of BTEA where s/he previously did not complete his/her course and is returning to the second or subsequent year of the 3rd level course. This also applies to people who are granted an exemption from a period of their 3rd level course. A person who completed earlier year(s) of his/her 3rd level course on a part-time basis but is now getting a jobseeker's payment, may apply for BTEA to continue the course on a full-time basis. The back to education allowance has an important role to play in enhancing the employability skills of jobseekers. The conditionality of the scheme will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changes in the economic climate.