Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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175. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if back to education allowance or a higher education grant is available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7987/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The information provided by the Deputy is insufficient to correctly identify the customer in this case. The Deputy has provided the PPSN of the mother of the person. If the Deputy provides the PPSN of the person, the circumstances of the particular case can be examined. This can be sent to Philip in my office.

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.

A person wishing to pursue a course of study on the BTEA must be pursuing a full time course of study leading to a recognised qualification and progressing in their level of education.

BTEA can be approved for a jobseeker who is aged at least 18 but under 21 years old provided that they have been out of formal education for at least 2 years prior to commencement of the proposed course of study. Periods spent on SOLAS/FÁS full-time training courses or Youthreach can count towards the relevant qualifying period and may be regarded as periods out of formal education.

The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant payable by the Department of Education and Skills represents the primary support for persons pursuing education. The eligibility rules that govern the payment of a student maintenance grant are a matter for that Department.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.