Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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311. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review the back to education allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9026/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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 further and higher level. The focus of the scheme is to assist people to improve their qualifications and as a result improve their access to sustainable employment. There are currently some 3,500 people claiming the Back to Education Allowance and the Government has provided €35.73 million for the scheme in 2024.

Pathways to Work (2021-2025) is the overarching government's employment services and activation framework. To ensure that Government policy objectives remain relevant in the current labour market context, my Department expects to publish the mid-term review of the Pathways to Work Strategy later this quarter. This review has been informed by the Labour Markey Advisory Council, a public consultation process and engagement with key stakeholders.

As Back to Education Allowance will be considered within the wider context of the above review, there are no plans to review the scheme separately in its own right at this time.

I trust this clarifies the matter.