Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

82. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on making the back-to-education allowance available to persons more than once, for instance, for women returning to the workplace after carrying out caring responsibilities. [59275/22]

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

The Back to Education Allowance provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who pursue courses of education at second or third level. A person may avail of this payment more than once where they meet the criteria for the scheme.

People, including women returning to the workplace, wishing to pursue a course of study under the Back to Education Allowance scheme must satisfy the conditions of the scheme, including being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specified time, pursuing a full-time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and progressing in the level of education.

The qualifying period for the second-level option is three months while the qualifying period for third-level courses is nine months prior to the date of commencement of the course. Time spent as a carer in receipt of Carer’s Allowance can be counted towards meeting the qualifying period so long as the caree is transferred to another recipient. A person must establish an entitlement to a Jobseekers or other qualifying payment before Back to Education Allowance is awarded.

The Student Grant Scheme administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is the primary support for people pursuing third level education.

A person in receipt of a social welfare payment who is planning to undertake an education course should engage with their local Intreo Centre to assess the options available to them.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.