John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

364. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider correspondence dated 18 January 2014 submitted to her office in the names of persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if she will approve the request based on the decision already issued and the plans they have made based on that decision from her Department. [7568/14]

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

A reply issued to the Deputy to his correspondence dated 18 January, 2014 detailing the position. As a result of budget changes introduced in 2013, the practice of uprating those on means reduced payments to the maximum personal rate on back to education allowance (BTEA) was discontinued from 1st January, 2013. From that date, new entrants to the BTEA scheme aged over 25 years will get their existing social welfare rate entitlement only.

In the case of the above named, an incorrect decision was made on the rate of BTEA payable in respect of the persons in question when they commenced full-time study. Both customers were awarded the maximum rate of €188 instead of a reduced rate of BTEA, due to household means. To ensure a consistent approach, the rate of BTEA was corrected. The weekly rate of BTEA has therefore been revised to reflect the customers’ current household means. It should be noted that if a customer’s circumstances change while participating on a BTEA supported course, a revised decision should be made by the relevant Local Social Welfare Office.