Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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113. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to protect the back to education allowance against cutbacks in the upcoming budget, which would deter mature students from returning to higher education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43653/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The objective of the Department’s working age employment supports, including the back to education allowance, is to remove barriers to employment in order to help people to enter or remain in employment. This is an integral part of the implementation of the Pathways to Work policy and the activation of jobseekers.

The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Expenditure Report, 2013 published with the Budget 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 has finalised its consideration of the Budget having regard to all of its commitments, including the commitment in the Programme for Government to maintain welfare rates. The outcome of this process will be announced later today.