Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

157. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the eligibility criteria in the back of education allowance and jobseeker’s allowance and payment in terms of part-time education to ensure persons on part-time courses are not excluded from both; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35410/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department's Back to Education Allowance provides income support for people who wish to pursue full time second or third level courses. The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant, payable by the Department of Education and Skills, represents the primary support for people pursuing third level education.

The Part-Time Education option, already in place, enables unemployed persons to attend part-time day/evening courses of education or training and retain their Jobseekers Allowance or Jobseekers Benefit provided that they continue to satisfy the conditions of the scheme including being available for and genuinely seeking employment. The purpose of this scheme is to enhance the employability prospects of participants.

If the Deputy has a query in respect of an individual case, they should provide the details of the case to my Department for review.