Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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70. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on whether persons seeking employment wishing to upskill by completing a postgraduate degree are treated fairly by her Department. [39617/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Back to Education Allowance Scheme (BTEA) is designed to support second chance education. It 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. Access to BTEA at postgraduate level is available to persons who wish to pursue a postgraduate course of study that leads to a higher diploma (H-Dip) qualification in any discipline or to persons in pursuit of a professional masters of education (primary and secondary school teaching). In addition the BTEA is also available where a person is admitted to a master’s programme based solely on life experience and provided the applicant is not the holder of any third level qualification.

The BTEA is not 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. 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.