Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection in situations where jobseeker's are invited by FÁS to attend labour market interviews the reason eligibility is not determined at that stage for the back to education scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some applicants apply for a back to education allowance following such a FÁS referral and are turned down on eligibility grounds where they are short of the required contributions; her views on whether this is wasteful of administrative time; is wasteful of college allocations and resources; her views on whether this is a blow to the applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43928/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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When determining eligibility for back to education allowance (BTEA) a number of factors are taken into account including, but not limited to, age of applicant, receipt of a prescribed social welfare payment for a specified duration, current educational qualifications, proposed course of study and the institution in which it is to take place.

Returning to education would be considered when jobseekers are invited to explore the wide variety of options available to them. However, eligibility for individual schemes can only be determined following a formal application process during which all relevant circumstances are established.