Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the decision in Budget 2013 to cut the back to education allowance was equality proofed; his views on whether decreasing this allowance will prevent marginalised and disadvantaged learners from upskilling through their participation in further education courses. [2673/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The number of recipients of the back to education allowance (BTEA) in the 2012/2013 academic year is approximately 25,800 which represents an increase of over 190% on the numbers participating in the 2007/2008 academic year. Expenditure in 2013 is expected to be over €189 million, compared to over €77m in 2008. Approximately 58% of people on BTEA are male and 42% are female.

A number of measures in relation to the scheme were introduced in Budget 2013. These were:

- the discontinuation of the up-rating of payments where a person was on a means reduced rate of a qualifying payment;

- reducing for new participants the up-rating from €188 per week to €160 where a person was on a reduced, age related rate of jobseeker’s allowance; and

- the discontinuation of the cost of education allowance.

The first two measures I have outlined above apply to new entrants to the scheme from January and will not affect recipients who were in receipt of BTEA in 2012 or previous years.

The BTEA scheme remains an attractive scheme for social welfare recipients who wish to further their education. A significant majority of those entering the scheme are in receipt of the maximum personal rate of payment of €188 per week, in addition increases for qualified adults and children may also be payable. This compares very favourably with other State funded supports for those pursuing education. My Department is currently finalising a Social Impact Assessment of the main taxation and welfare changes announced in Budget 2013. This SIA will include an analysis of the distributive and poverty impacts of these changes on different family types as well as the impact on at risk of poverty levels. I will be examining the analysis when it is finalised and I will give consideration to its publication at that stage.