Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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335. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the payment a person (details supplied) is entitled to if they return to college as a mature student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23740/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned was in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) from 5 June 2015 until 22 December 2015.

On 9 December 2015 he attended his local Intreo office to state that he had commenced a part-time education course. The person concerned was asked to provide a letter from the college confirming that it was a part-time course. On receipt of same from the Institute of Further Education it was confirmed the client was a full time student.

As JA is not payable to a person engaged in full time education the person concerned was disallowed from receiving JA with effect from 9 September 2015.

The client appealed this decision and the decision was upheld by the Appeals Office.

In order to be considered for entitlement to Back to Education Allowance an application must be made prior to or within 30 days of commencement of the course of education.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.