Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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535. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the process to date in determination of appeal of back to education allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9520/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Back to Education Allowance is a non-statutory scheme administered by my Department. As such, decisions cannot be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, but decisions can be reviewed by another Officer of my Department.

The person concerned applied for Back to Education Allowance on 28 September 2021. This application was refused on 01 October 2021 on the grounds that they were not in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for the required period of time and were not commencing the first year of a course of study.

The person concerned was not happy with this decision and requested a review. This decision was reviewed and the person was notified on 14 October 2021 that the original decision was upheld.

My officials have looked at the case again and are satisfied that there are valid grounds for a further review. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome as soon as a decision is made.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.