Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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185. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a back to education allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5138/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned was previously approved for Back to Education Allowance in July, 2014. Following a review of her claim in November 2016, it was discovered that the person concerned dropped out of their course and was no longer entitled to a BTEA payment.

The child of the person concerned is now over 7 years old and under the guidelines for a One Parent Family payment (OFP) when the Child Dependant reaches 7 years of age the customer must apply for a JST (Jobseekers Transitional payment) or a Jobseekers Allowance (JA) payment. Customers in receipt of JST can participate on approved education and training programmes up to and including a level 10 on the National Qualifications Framework and continue to receive their JST/JA payment.

The person concerned should attend their local branch Office in Maynooth and make an application for a JST/JA payment. It is then open to the person concerned on a JST/JA payment to make an application for a BTEA if they wish to pursue further studies.

Philip in my office can assist further if required.