Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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169. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person that already has a level 8 qualification has been able to qualify for the back to education allowance to pursue a further level 8 qualification in each of the past five years. [43215/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a scheme that allows persons in receipt of certain social welfare payments the opportunity to pursue a course of study, while still maintaining their income support, subject to satisfying a number of conditions. The conditions include progressing in the level of education held by the client with reference to the national framework of qualifications.Applicants holding a qualification at tertiary education level (certificate, diploma, primary degree or post graduate qualification) are not eligible under the BTEA to pursue a course at a similar or lower qualification level. However, the BTEA may be approved if a person holds a level 8 Honours degree and wishes to pursue a Higher Diploma at Level 8 as this is considered progression.

There are a small number of situations where the progression rule is not applied. For instance, where a person holds a Level 5 or Level 6, the progression rule can be waived if their previous qualification was obtained three years prior to re-entry into education. The course must also be deemed to enhance a person’s job prospects and the participant must satisfy all other eligibility criteria.

Additionally, Springboard is an initiative to enable jobseekers to upskill or reskill in areas where there are employment opportunities. The BTEA can be approved for a person who holds a qualification equivalent to, or higher than, the qualification for which the BTEA application has been received for Springboard full-time courses. For example, if a participant already holds a level 8 qualification, they may pursue a level 8 Springboard course.

Overall, it is important to note that the purpose of the BTEA is to raise educational and skill levels so as to improve a welfare recipient’s employment prospects. Progression in education is an important condition of the support provided.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.