The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Séamus Brennan, yesterday announced a reduction in the qualifying time for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) scheme, which aims to encourage unemployed people to return to education.
Under the plans, the majority of participants - generally those who have been unemployed for longer than six months - will now qualify for the scheme if they have been in receipt of social welfare payments for nine months. This includes people on Fás schemes whose return to education has been approved under the National Employment Action Plan (NEAP).
Previously, the qualification period for these individuals to avail of the BTEA - which provides them with a weekly payment of €149 and support for the purchase of books and materials - was 15 months.
There are currently some 7,300 participants in the BTEA scheme. Of these, some 3,000 are pursuing second-level qualifications and 4,300 are studying at third-level.
The qualification period for applicants not participating in the NEAP has also been reduced from 15 months to 12. The annual cost of education allowance also increased from €254 to €400 per person. The plans take effect from September.
David Stanton of Fine Gael yesterday said the decision to reduce the qualifying period should have been made sooner.
While welcome, it had come "too late" for many unemployed people hoping to apply for this academic year, he added.
Meanwhile, Minister for Education Mary Hanafin yesterday claimed everyone entitled to a bus place will have one this year. She was commenting on the phasing out of the controversial "three-for-two" seats policy.