Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

368. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will reverse the new policy changes to the back to education allowance scheme which were introduced in April 2016, which will reduce any income for students working part time during the academic year and have not been publicised to the local social protection officers or students on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26457/16]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

375. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will review and reverse the changes made to the back to education allowance which assesses all part-time work undertaken by students in accordance with their primary payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26531/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 375 together.

The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is an educational opportunities scheme for persons in receipt of certain qualifying social welfare payments wishing to pursue second or third level courses of education in order to improve their employment prospects. It is primarily designed to support second chance education.

Entitlement to BTEA is conditional on a person having an on-going entitlement to the qualifying scheme payment. The BTEA scheme has been amended in recent years to ensure that the conditions are in line with the qualifying payment. From 2016/17 academic year, BTEA participants with eligibility based on jobseekers, transitional jobseekers or one parent family payments who engage in part-time work will be assessed in accordance with their primary payment. This measure ensures that only participants who continue to satisfy the means test of their primary payment or another qualifying BTEA payment will continue to receive income support under BTEA. This will help to ensure that resources are directed at those most in need of assistance.

This amendment was introduced following a review carried out on employment supports schemes in 2012. Stakeholders were also afforded an opportunity to contribute to the proposed recommendations at that time.

The BTEA operational guidelines were revised and communicated throughout my Department and to external stakeholders in April 2016. It is important to note that the BTEA was never intended to be an alternative form of funding for people entering or re-entering the third-level education system. The student universal support Ireland (SUSI) grant payable by the Department of Education and Skills represents the primary support for persons pursuing education.

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.