Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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499. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is in receipt of the back to education allowance will be permitted to take up a part-time job for the summer months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24567/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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People getting Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) who wish to take up employment during the academic year are assessed under the rules, including means assessment where applicable, that apply to their primary payment i.e. the payment from which they qualified for BTEA.

The person concerned was in receipt of Illness Benefit prior to being awarded BTEA and therefore the rules governing Illness Benefit would apply in respect of wishing to take up employment.

With the exception of people who satisfy the conditions for Partial Capacity Benefit, which allows a person to take up employment and retain a portion of their social welfare payment, those in receipt of Illness Benefit are not permitted to take up employment and retain their payment. The person concerned is currently in receipt of BTEA which is not a qualifying payment for Partial Capacity Benefit and therefore she cannot take up employment and retain her BTEA payment.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.