Written answers

Tuesday, 4 July 2017

Department of Social Protection

Back to Education Allowance

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

595. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the proposal by a charity (details supplied) in its 2018 pre-budget submission to reverse the decision to means test income from part time work for those in receipt of back to educational allowance; the cost of implementing such a proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31146/17]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is designed primarily to support second chance education. It 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.

Entitlement to BTEA is conditional on having an on-going entitlement to the qualifying scheme payment. The scheme has been amended in recent years to ensure that the conditions are in line with the qualifying payment. As a result, 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 will continue to receive income support under the allowance and that resources are directed at those most in need of assistance.

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.

A new €500 annual cost of education allowance will be made available to BTEA participants with children from the next academic year in September. This will help parents, including lone parents, to return to education. Additionally, the age-related payments will no longer apply to participants of the BTEA and, as a result, students who have a reduced payment on their primary scheme payment will now benefit from the maximum rate of payment from the new academic year.

Overall, the priority for my Department is that the BTEA will be focused, targeted and suitable for the needs of jobseekers and of the future skills needs of the economy. It is only in that context that changes to BTEA will be considered. I have no plans to change the current rules for the Allowance.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.