Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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70. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare qualifies for the back to education allowance, in view of that person's current social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13838/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There are a number of qualifying factors that decide eligibility for the back to education allowance scheme. Applicants must be a certain age; be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specific period of time; be, in general, starting the first year of a full-time course which will lead to a recognised qualification in a recognised college; be progressing in the level of education and be approved in advance of commencing the course of full-time study.

I can confirm that the person concerned is eligible on age grounds and she has been in receipt of a qualifying payment for the required period of time. When the client receives acceptance on a course, she should complete the application form for Back To Education Allowance (BTE1) and return it to her local Department of Social Protection office before commencement of the course.

A decision on the remaining qualification criteria cannot be made until an application is received.