Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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84. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the new measures she has implemented to the eligibility criteria of applicants for the back to education scheme in terms of students who wish to work throughout the summer term of their college course; if she will render them ineligible for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31027/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The back to education (BTEA) programme is a second-chance education scheme for jobseekers, lone parents and people with disabilities who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. Under the BTEA, income support is provided to allow jobseekers undertake a second-level or third-level course to improve their education and skills. In mid-May, I announced a number of enhancements to the BTEA which are designed to further support the policies outlined in the Government’s Pathways to Work strategy, which seeks to help 75,000 long-term unemployed people return to work by the end of 2015. The key enhancements expanded the BTEA to support:

- the new Professional Master’s in Education;

- opportunities for those holding Level 5 or 6 qualification under the National Framework of Qualifications to undertake further study at either of these levels, subject to the additional study furthering their professional/career development and work prospects; and

- the Department of Education and Skills’ Springboard and Momentum initiatives.

In addition, and in line with Pathways to Work, revised application and selection processes have been introduced.

A jobseeker in receipt of BTEA resuming a college course or who are progressing to a new approved course of study may engage in summer employment and any means from this employment will not be assessed for BTEA purposes for the following academic year. Confirmation that the employment has ceased (in the form of a Revenue cessation certificate - form P45) must be provided to the Department before the commencement of the new academic year.

The Deputy should note that means from employment are assessed in cases where the BTEA recipient wishes to remain in part-time employment whilst continuing to study during the academic year and where this employment commenced before the start of the academic year.