Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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400. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter regarding a back to school allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44985/17]

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 approved under the BTEA to pursue a course at a similar or lower qualification level. However, 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. This does not apply to someone educated to a level 7 qualification.

The person to whom the Deputy refers already holds a qualification at QQ1 level 7. Her application for the BTEA relates to a level 5 course of study and was refused by her local Intreo Centre, in accordance with the BTEA guidelines.

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 a condition which is not unique to BTEA. State support for education purposes is grounded on a student progressing from one qualification level to a higher one.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.