Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1657. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the BTEA criteria will be reviewed again with regard to the progress in educational qualifications (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1671/18]

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.

The student universal support Ireland (SUSI) grant payable by the Department of Education and Skills represents the primary support for persons pursuing education. The BTEA was never intended to be an alternative form of funding for people entering or re-entering the third level education system.

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, the BTEA may be approved if a person holds a HETAC level 8 Honours degree and wishes to pursue a Higher Diploma at HETAC Level 8 as this is considered progression.

There are a small number of situations where the progression rule is not applied. For instance, as you reference, where a person only holds a FETAC Level 5 or FETAC Level 6, the progression rule can be waived if their previous qualification was obtained three years prior to re-entry into education and provided the person was in employment for a period of at least three years since commencement of employment. 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 have no plans to change these provisions.

I hope this clarified the matter for the Deputy.