1940. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Social Protection the consideration that has been given to expanding the range of courses eligible for grant support for participants in back-to-education programmes; if changes are planned in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58978/26]

The Back to Education Allowance scheme (BTEA) is an educational opportunities scheme for customers in receipt of certain social welfare payments wishing to pursue second or third level courses of education, subject to meeting the qualifying conditions.

The objective is to raise educational and skills levels to enable them to have better access to labour market needs.

The BTEA scheme has three strands:

Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) – support available to complete a full-time course of study

Part-Time Education Option (PTEO) – retain Jobseeker’s payment while undertaking a part-time course of study

Education, Training and Development Option (ET&D) – retain Jobseeker’s payment while undertaking courses of study of short duration

The Back to Education Allowance can be currently used for an extensive range of courses. The only restriction regarding the course of study being pursued is that it must lead to a qualification that is either recognised by the Department of Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) or awarded by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). This restriction ensures that the course is of a required standard of quality, and thereby ensures public funds are being spent in a responsible manner. On this basis it is not believed that further expansion of the range of eligible courses is required.