Written answers
Tuesday, 16 June 2020
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Back to Education Allowance
Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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1024. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age on the back to education allowance scheme; the funding allocated to support young persons under 25 years of age on the scheme in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11517/20]
Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The back to education allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and certain others in receipt of social welfare payments who pursue courses of education at second or third level. The main focus of the BTEA is to assist qualifying applicants to improve their educational qualifications and improve their prospects of gaining employment.
At the end of April 2020 there were approximately 6,300 students in receipt of the BTEA. The number of these students who are aged under 25 years is approximately 1,300.
Government has provided almost €57 million for BTEA in 2020. This represents a considerable investment in supporting participants aged 18 to 66 to acquire the necessary education and skills to re-enter the labour market.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
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