Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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17. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on the discrimination felt by many previously self-employed persons in full-time education seeking the back to education benefit; if the criteria for qualifying for this benefit need to be examined, for instance in the case of self-employed persons who begin a degree while self-employed and who then see their business fail and who are not entitled to any payment, although then technically unemployed; if the criteria should be applied to the current circumstances of applicants, as opposed to their employment position when beginning their studies, especially given that many degree programmes can be in excess of four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4841/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The student support grant payable by the Department of Education and Skills and administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) represents the primary support for persons pursuing education in Ireland. The Department of Social Protection does not offer specific supports for students pursuing third level qualifications outside of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).

The BTEA is a scheme that allows persons in receipt of long-term social welfare payments the opportunity to pursue a course of study, while still maintaining their income support, subject to satisfying a number of conditions. These conditions include age and being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specific period of time. The participant must be pursuing certain full-time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and progressing in their levels of education with reference to the National Framework of Qualifications.