Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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755. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his views on whether the new regulations regarding part-time work during the 2016-17 academic year for those in receipt of the back to education allowance will result in part-time work not being worthwhile for students; if he will review this measure, given the cost of transport and rent (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25634/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a scheme that allows persons in receipt of long-term social welfare payments the opportunity to pursue a course of study and receive income support subject to satisfying a number of conditions.

A BTEA participant whose eligibility is based on jobseekers, transitional jobseekers or one parent family payments who engage in part-time work will be assessed in accordance with the rules of their primary payment.

This condition was one of the recommendations that followed a review of all employment and educational supports schemes in 2012. It ensures that only participants who continue to satisfy the eligibility criteria of the primary payment will continue to receive income support under BTEA and that resources are directed at those most in need of assistance.

Overall, the priority for my Department is that the BTEA scheme will be focused, targeted and suitable for the needs of jobseekers and of the future skills needs of the economy.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.