Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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201. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a master of science in psychological science degree course is an eligible course for support under the back to education scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14034/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The objective of the back to education allowance scheme (BTEA) is to assist those who are distant from the labour market to acquire the necessary education to improve their chances of becoming independent of the social welfare system. The BTEA, which is designed to support second chance education, enables eligible persons to pursue approved education courses and to continue to receive income support for the duration of a course of study, subject to meeting certain conditions.

Other than the Professional Masters in Education, which is a pre-requisite to taking up a teaching post, the BTEA does not provide income support to customers seeking to pursue a qualification at Masters Level. I have no plans to alter the current arrangement.