Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

178. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure the back to education allowance is not cut in budget 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41304/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Revised Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure of over €189 million in 2013 on back to education allowance in relation to an estimated 23,350 recipients. The Deputy will be aware that the Expenditure Report 2013 published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform last December provides for additional new expenditure reduction measures of €440 million to be achieved in 2014 in the Department of Social Protection budget. The Government will shortly finalise its consideration of the Budget having regard to all of its commitments, including the commitment in the Programme for Government to maintain primary weekly welfare rates. The outcome of this process will be announced on Budget Day.