John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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170. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a graduate of a level 7 course is not entitled to apply for the back to education allowance for a level 8 course in a different discipline (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21216/19]

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 to a higher level of education than that already held by the applicant.

An applicant who already holds a level 7 ordinary degree can only apply for the one year add-on honours degree course. They are not eligible to commence a new three or four year level 8 degree course in a different discipline. The BTEA scheme is designed to support second chance education and not award financial support to someone with a pre-existing degree. Where a Level 7 ordinary degree is held, progression to a level 8 higher diploma may be approved as a higher diploma is normally awarded following completion of a programme of one year duration.

The guidelines governing such progression under the operation of the BTEA are, in the main, in line with the mechanisms in place for student support type schemes administered by the Department of Education and Skills. Progression in education is a condition to access BTEA and it should be noted that is not a requirement unique to this scheme as other State supports for education purposes are grounded on a student progressing.

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.

Any changes to the BTEA would have to be considered in the overall budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the situation for the Deputy.