Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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407. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if it is possible to receive back to education allowance in respect of a level 9 third level course. [41083/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The back to education allowance scheme (BTEA) supports persons who have been in receipt of a social protection payment to pursue full-time courses of education at second level and courses to higher diploma level in any discipline and to a Professional Diploma in Education (level 8 in National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in third level colleges. Other postgraduate qualifications including a masters qualification (level 9 on the NFQ) are not generally eligible for support from BTEA. This requirement can be waved on a limited and exceptional basis where a college grants an exemption from the requirement to hold a primary degree (or diploma) and based solely on relevant life experience of the applicant admits that person to a masters course (level 9 on NFQ). This is the only instance that BTEA covers a level 9 third level course. BTEA is not available to any person pursuing a doctorate or level 10 course of study. I have no plans to alter these arrangements.