Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will review her decision to refuse back to education allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) on the basis that their proposed choice of accredited study os of a lower qualification then they already hold; her views on whether applicants should in a global labour market environment of work and career flexibility, have the option of pursuing studies that lead to an alternative career path.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48701/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned was refused Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) on the basis of not progressing in the level of education held by him. The person concerned was notified of this decision on 29th August 2012. Following a review of his circumstances on 1st September, the decision to disallow the claim has been upheld.

BTEA is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to remove the barriers to participation in second and third level education by enabling those in receipt of certain social welfare payments to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads to a higher qualification than that already held. A person wishing to pursue the BTEA scheme will have to satisfy a number of conditions such as being a certain age, in receipt of a prescribed social welfare payment for a specified time period, pursuing a full time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and progressing in the level of education held by the client with reference to the national framework of qualifications among others.

Progression in education is a condition which is not unique to BTEA, indeed State support for education purposes is grounded on a student progressing from one qualification level to a higher one. This is necessary to ensure displacement does not occur, in that courses could be offered to students who are not progressing at the cost of students progressing from a lower education level. BTEA guidelines are, in the main, in line with the mechanisms in place for similar student supports administered by the Department of Education and Skills and require student progression from one qualification level to a higher one. Furthermore, the BTEA scheme is not intended to be an alternative form of funding for people entering or re-entering the third level education system.