Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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233. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a back to education allowance, or any assistance, is available for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36070/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned is 19 years of age and currently attending a third level PLC course. He currently does not have any live claim with this department. In order to qualify for Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) third level option a claimant must be in receipt of a qualifying payment for 9 months (234 paid or credited days of unemployment) unless they have been made redundant immediately prior to applying for a jobseeker’s claim. Claimants under 21 must also have completed formal education for 2 years in order to qualify for BTEA. Claimants do not qualify for a jobseeker’s payments if they are in full-time education except if it is under a Department of Social Protection Scheme and the claimant qualifies for that scheme. It is open to the person concerned to contact his local office to discuss this further.