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Back
to Education Programmes SW 70
Did
you miss out on educational oppurtunities when you were younger?
Do you need to update your skils to compete more successfully
for a job?
If so, the Department of Social and Family Affairs may be able
to help.
The
Department administers a range of second chance education programmes
to help unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities
improve their skills and qualifications.
This
booklet outlines a number of ways in which you can return to full-time
or part-time education while continuing to receive income support.
The programmes range from basic foundation courses through to
postgraduate university courses.
If
you wish to pursue a full-time second or third level course, you
may qualify for a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). Alternatively,
you may continue to receive your current Social Welfare payment
if you wish to participate in other education, training or development
courses .
The
Back to Education Programme covers the following study options:
Second
Level Certificate Courses
Third Level Education Courses
Education, Training & Development Courses
Part-time Education Courses.
In addition, the Department of Education and Science administers
the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) which is particularly
suitable if you have been out of school for some time
1. Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
How
to Qualify
Study Options Available
Second
Level Option
Third Level Option
How
to Apply
Payment of the Allowance
BTEA for Qualified Adults
Secondary Benefits
Cost of Education Allowance
Monitoring Arrangements
2. Education, Training & Development
Courses
How
to Qualify
When and How to Apply?
Payment Arrangements
Signing Arrangements
Looking for Training
3.
Part-Time Education Courses
When
and How to Apply?
Adult Basic Education
How
to Apply?
4. Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme
(VTOS)
How
to Qualify
When and How to Apply?
Payment Arrangements
Signing Arrangements
5.
More Information
.
1. Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is an educational opportunities
scheme for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities
who are getting certain payments from the Department of Social
and Family Affairs.
The
allowance is payable to people who wish to pursue approved second
or third level education courses. BTEA is not an unemployment
payment. Participants receive a standard rate of payment which
is not means tested. If you are signing for unemployment 'credits'
only, you may qualify to participate in the scheme but you will
not receive an allowance.
How To Qualify
To qualify for a Back To Education Allowance, you must be:
-
at least age 21 (age 24 for a third level postgraduate course)
and
- getting one of the following social welfare payments for at
least 6 months (156 days):
Unemployment Assistance or Unemployment Benefit or Farm Assist
One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's Allowance, Deserted
Wife's Benefit, Widow's/Widower's Non-Contributory Pension, Widow's/Widower's
Contributory Pension or Prisoner's Wife's Allowance
Carer's Allowance (Having ceased caring responsibilities).
Or
-
age 18 or over
and
- getting one of the following social welfare payments for at
least 6 months (156 days):
Blind
Pension
Disability Allowance
Invalidity Pension
Unemployability Supplement
Or
-
age between 18 and 20 years
- out of formal education for 2 years
and
- getting one of the following Social Welfare payments for at
least 6 months (156 days):
Unemployment
Assistance or Unemployment Benefit
One-Parent Family Payment
Or
-
in receipt of Disability Benefit for 3 years or more
Note:
Periods spent on VTOS, FÁS training courses, Youthreach,
Community Employment schemes, Back to Work Allowance, FÁS
Job Initiative or Job Assist can count towards the 6 month qualifying
period. You may access the BTEA Scheme directly from one of the
above schemes if:
you were in recipt of a relevant social welfare payments prior
to participation in one of the above schemes and there is not
more than a 4 week break between ceasing one of the above schemes
and commencing an approved course of study. Otherwise you must
be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment immediately
prior to commencing an approved course of study.
Periods
spent on Disability Benefit can count towards the 6 months condition
provided you are on one of yhe relevant qualifying payments for
more than 3 months (78 days) prior to commencing the course.
Periods spent in prision may count towards the 6 months qualifying
condition.
The above conditions must be satisfied before the start of the
first year of the course.
If you qualify for 'credited contributions', 'credits' will continue
to be awarded while you are on BTEA.
Study Options Available
There are two study options available under the scheme:
Second
Level Option
Third Level Option.
Second
Level Option
You can attend a second level course of education at any community,
comprehensive, secondary or vocational school. The course must
be full-time and lead to a certificate recognised by the Department
of Education and Science or approved by the Further Education
and Training Awards Council (FETAC),e.g. Junior Certificate, Leaving
Certificate, Post Leaving Certificate, or a City and Guilds Certificate.
Third Level Option
You can attend a third level course of education at any university,
third level college or institution provided that the course is
a full-time day course of study and is approved by the Department
of Education and Science for Higher Education Grant scheme, the
Vocational Education Committee's Scholarship Scheme or the Third
Level Maintenance Grant Scheme for Trainees or has Higher Education
and Training Awards Council (HETAC) recognition.
Note:
If you already hold one undergraduate qualification, a BTEA application
to pursue an equlvalent third level undergraduate qualification
will only be considered in very exceptional circumstances. BTEA
is not awarded to a holder of a postgraduate qualification except
under very exceptional circumstances.
How to Apply
You should contact your local second or third level school or
college to obtain details of the courses available. They will
also advise you on how to obtain a place on the course of your
choice. Remember, it is your responsibility to obtain a place
on the course of your choice. The Department cannot assist you
in this regard.
When
you have been accepted on a course, you should notify the Department
of Social and Family Affairs by completing the form (BTE 1) which
is available from your local Social Welfare Office or the Department's
Information Service.
a)
If you are getting an Unemployment Payment:
Return the completed application form (BTE 1) to your local Social
Welfare Office
b)
If you are getting One-Parent Family Payment Deserted Wife's Benefit/Allowance,
Widow's/Widower's Pension, Prisoners Wife's Allowance or Blind
Pension: Return the completed application form (BTE 1) to the
relevant section in the Pension Services Office, Department of
Social and Family Affairs, College Road, Sligo.
c)
If you are getting Disability Allowance Invalidity Pension, Unemployability
Supplement or Carer's Allowance:
Return the completed application form (BTE 1) to the relevent
section in the Social Welfare Services Office, Department Social
and Family Affairs, Ballinalee Road, Longford.
d)
If you are getting Disability Benefit (for 3 years or more): Return
the completed application form (BTE 1) to Department of Social
and Family Affairs, Back to Education Schemes, Gandon House, Dublin1.
Payment
of the Allowance
Back to Education Allowance is paid at a standard rate. Therefore,
if you are currently getting a reduced rate of payment (perhaps
because you have means assessed against you, or because you only
qualify for a graduated rate of benefit), you will be entitled
to a higher rate of BTEA.
If
you are getting an Unemployment Assistance, Unemployment Benefit
or Farm Assist you will be paid a Back to Education Allowance
equivalent to the maximum standard rate of Unemployment Benefit.
If
you are getting a One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's Allowance,
Deserted Wife's Benefit, Wiidows/Widowers Non-Contributory Pension,
Widows/ Widowers Contributory Pension, Prisoners Wife's Allowance,
Disability Allowance, Blind Person's Pension or Carer's Allowance
you will be paid BTEA at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate
of your current social welfare payment.You will not recieve two
payments. The allowance is paid instead of the social welfare
payment that entitled you to participate in the BTEA scheme.
If
you are getting an Invalidity Pension or Unemployability Supplement,
the amount of your payment will remain unchanged.
The
allowance will include increases for a qualified adult and children
where applicable.
If
you were previously getting Unemployment Assistance, Unemployment
Benefit, Farm Assist, One Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's
Allowance, Deserted Wife's Benefit, Widows/Widowers Non-Contributory
Pension, Widows/Widowers Contributory Pension,Prisoners Wife's
Allowance, Disability Allowance, Disability Benefit, Blind Pension,
Invalidity Pension, or Carer's Allowance BTEA is paid directly
into your Bank Account.
If
you do not want your BTEA paid into your bank account, you should
contact the relevant Social Welfare Office to discuss alternative
payment arrangements.
If
you were previously getting Unemployability Supplements you will
continue to be paid by cheque.
The
allowance is payable for the duration of the course - including
all holiday periods. It is not means-tested so you may also work
without affecting your payment. However, see below regarding secondary
benefits.
If
you complete one course of study, but intend taking another course
in the following academic year, you must make a new application
for BTEA. The allowance is not payable for the intervening period
between courses.
Your
BTEA payment will not be affected by any Maintenance Grant you
may receive.
BTEA
for Qualified Adults
If you are the Qualified Adult Depandant of a person who is eligible
for BTEA you can qualify for BTEA in your own right. You will
receive an allowance wquivalent to the maximum standard personal
rate of the relevant social welfare payment your spouse/partner
is in receipt of. You will also receive the cost of Education
Allowance. It is possible, in these circumstances for both partners
to receive BTEA while pursuing an approved course.
Secondary
Benefits
You will keep entitlements to any secondary benefits you already
have e.g. Christmas Bonus, Fuel Allowance, Diet Supplement, Rent
or Mortgage Supplement* under the Supplementary Allowance Scheme.
*Any
increase in income may affect your Rent/Mortgage Supplement. Earnings
from part-time employment or summer holiday work do not afect
the basic BTEA payment. HOWEVER, any income which you and/or your
spouse receive (except the first €50.00 of weekly earnings
from part-time work) is assessable for Rent or Mortgage Supplement.
Cost of Education Allowance
In addition to your weekly payment, you will also be entitled
to an annual allowance towards the cost of your studies. This
allowance is payable at the start of each academic year and is
currently €254.00.
Monitoring Arrangements
You must furnish a certificate from the school / college confirming
registration, commencement and attendance at the course. You will
be requested to supply this information before payment can issue.
During the course of the academic year, you may be asked to provide
confirmation that you are still participating on the course.
BTEA is not an unemployment payment and participants are not required
to "sign on".
2.
Education, Training & Development Courses
(Retention of an Unemployment Payment)
What happens if you are getting an unemployment payment and your
choice is not covered under the Back to Education Allowance Scheme?
If it is a course of education, training or development, you may
be allowed to participate while continuing to receive your current
unemployment payment. Before you start, you should always check
with your local Social Welfare Office to find out if your payment
may be affected.
It
must be clear that the course will enhance your employment prospects.
A broad range of courses are approved - from personal development
or basic education, to general training or the acquisition of
specific job skills.
Courses
must be:-
wholly
or partially funded by a State Agency or Area Partnership Company
or
provided
by a voluntary/community group to help develop the employability
of unemployed persons.
How to Qualify
If you are registered as unemployed and wish to attend a course
of education, training or development you must be:
at
least 21 years of age
and
getting an unemployment payment or signing for 'credits' for at
least 6 months (156 days).
or
aged
between 18 and 20 years
out of formal education for 2 years
and
getting
one of the following payments or signing for credits for 6 months:
Unemployment Assistance/Benefit
One-Parent Family Payment
The above conditions must be satisfied before you start the course.
Note:
Unlike the Back to Education Allowance, periods spent on VTOS,
FÁS, Community Employment Schemes, Back to Work Allowance,
FÁS Job Initiative or Job Assist DO NOT count towards the
six month qualifying period. The course must first be approved
by a Job Facilitator. You can arrange an appointment with a Job
Facilitator by contacting your Local Social Welfare Office.
When
and How to Apply
When you have secured a place with a school / college / approved
training body, you should apply by completing application form
(BTE 1), available from your Local Social Welfare Office or the
Department's Information Service. Return the completed application
form (BTE 1) to your local Social Welfare Office.
Payment
Arrangements
You will continue to receive your social welfare payment in the
usual way. If you are signing for 'credits' only, you will not
receive any payment while on the course.
If
you are in receipt of Unemployment Assistance/Benefit or One-Parent
Family Payment and participate in a course of Education, Training
or Development that is organised and initiated by a job Facilitator
you may be eligible for a payment of €31.80 per week towards
out of pocket expenses i.e. meals, travel.
Signing
Arrangements
Your local Social Welfare Office may make special 'signing-on'
arrangements where necessary to facilitate your attendance on
your chosen course.
Looking
for Training
FÁS is the national Training and Employment Authority.
If you are looking for work or training, you are strongly advised
to register with your local FÁS ofice. It is not possible
to receive both a FÁS training allowance and a social welfare
payment.
Information
about courses is available from:
Job
Facilitator (s/he may be contacted through your local Social Welfare
Office)
local VEC/school
public library etc..
Note:
a) If you are pursuing an approved course of education training
or development you are not entitled to receive a training allowance
while retaining entitlement to Unemployment Assistance or Unemployment
Benefit. However, you may be allowed to receive a small amount
for out of pocket expenses i.e. meal and travel costs, you may
incur as a result of participation.
b)
All income which you and/or your spouse/partner receive is assessable
for Rent or Mortgage Supplement purposes. Therefore any increase
in income, e.g. a training allowance or maintenance grant will
affect your Rent/Mortgage Supplement. However, the first €50.00
of weekly earnings from part-time employment will not affect your
Rent/Mortgage Supplement.
3. Part-Time Education Courses and Your Unemployment
Payment
If you do not wish to attend a full-time course of study, it is
possible in many cases to attend a part-time education course
without affecting your unemployment payment. Before you start,
you should check with your local Social Welfare Office to see
if your payment will be affected.
You
must be able to show that your course is not restricting your
availability for work. You must satisfy your local Social Welfare
Office that you are still actively looking and willing to take
up work and that the course is likely to improve your chances
of getting a job.
When and How to Apply
You should contact your local VEC, school/college, public library
or Citizens Information Centre (CIC) who may supply details of
the courses available and advice on how to obtain a place on the
course of your choice.
When
you have secured a place on a course, you should apply by completing
application form (BTE 1) available from your local Social Welfare
Office.
Return
the completed form (BTE 1) to your local Social Welfare Office.
Adult
Basic Education
A free and confidential Adult Basic Education service is available
in over 100 Literacy Schemes throughout Ireland. This service
is designed to meet your individual needs, whatever your level
of education.
You
can avail of either one-to-one or group tuition in a relaxed,
informal atmosphere. Tutors, who are specially trained to teach
adults, provide support and encouragement as you work at upgrading
your level of reading, writing, spelling, basic maths etc..
Tuition
is provided on a part-time basis, during the day and / or in the
evenings for up to two or three sessions per week. Courses can
lead to qualifications such as City and Guilds Certificate and
FETAC accreditation, as well as some Junior Certificate subjects.
Crêche facilities are available with some Literary Schemes.
How to Apply
If you would like to avail of the Adult Basic Education service
you should get in touch with any of the following organisations:
the
Adult Education Organiser, or Literacy Organiser, in your Local
VEC
NALA, the National Adult Literacy Agency: Telephone (01) 8554332
Aontas, the National Association of Adult Education: Telephone
(01) 4754121 / 4754122.
4.
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)
The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme, which is administered
by the Department of Education and Science, is operated through
the VEC's. The courses provided under the scheme may be of up
to two years in duration. They can lead to qualifications such
as Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, Post Leaving Certificate
and City and Guilds Certificates. The main objectives of the scheme
are:
a)
to give unemployed people education and training opportunities
which will develop their employability
b)
to prepare people to go to paid employment or to further opportunities
leading to paid employment.
There
is no fee for a VTOS course, and books and materials are provided
free of charge.
Some
VECs run taster/sampler courses to help you decide on the most
appropriate VTOS course to meet your needs. You should contact
your local VEC for further information.
How to Qualify
You can apply to join if you are:
at
least age 21
and
getting
an unemployment Assistance/Benefit, One-Parent Family Payment,
Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Disability Benefit (subject
to obtaining permission from section) or signing on for 'credits'
for at least 6 months (156 days). Periods spent on FÁS,
Community Employment Schemes or Youthreach Programme can count
towards this qualifying period, but you must be getting one of
the relevant social welfare payments immediately before you start
the course.
If you qualify for 'credited contributions' they will continue
to be awarded while you are on the course. If you are signing
for unemployment 'credits only', you may qualify to participate
in the scheme but you will not receive an allowance.
If
you are getting an unemployment payment and you are getting an
increase for your spouse/partner, s/he may also participate in
VTOS. However, your spouse/partner will not qualify for a payment
in his/her own right while on VTOS but may receive a small lunch
and travel allowance (payable by VTOS) where appropriate.
When and How to Apply
You should apply to your local VEC for a place on the scheme.
Note:
As there may be some changes to the conditions for receipt of
VTOS and/or the type of VTOS courses on offer, please contact
your local VEC for the most up-to-date information.
Payment Arrangements
VTOS is paid at a standard rate. Therefore, if you are currently
getting a reduced rate of payment (perhaps because you have means
assessed against you), you will be entitled to a higher rate of
VTOS.
If
you are transferring from an unemployment payment to VTOS, you
will be paid a training allowance at a rate equivalent to the
maximum rate of Unemployment Benefit, including any appropriate
increases due for a qualified adult and dependent children. You
will normally be paid by cheque or Paypath by the VEC each week.
If
you are in receipt of an eligibile social welfare payment other
than Unemployment Benefit/Assistance, you will transfer to a VTOS
allowance.This allowance will be paid at a rate equivalent to
the maximum rate of your current social welfare payment and be
paid in the normal way from the Department of Social and Family
Affairs.
If
you were in receipt of one of the relevant Social Welfare payments
(or a combination of the relevant Social Welfare payments) for
12 months or more immediately prior to starting the VTOS course,
an extra allowance of €31.80 is payable. This increase is
also payable to those VTOS students who were in receipt of an
eligible social welfare payment for 12 months or more immediately
before starting a Youthreach/Senior Traveller Training Programme
to VTOS.
The
VTOS allowance is not means-tested, so you may work without affecting
your payment. It continues to be paid over the summer months if
you intend resuming the course in the Autumn. The allowance is
also paid during Christmas and Easter holiday periods.
You
will retain entitlement to any secondary benefits you may already
have for example, Christmas Bonus, Fuel Allowance, Diet Supplement.
Note:
Rent or Mortgage Supplement under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance
Scheme will be affected by any additional income. However, the
first €50.00 of weekly earnings from part-time employment
will not affect your Rent/Mortgage Supplement.
While
on VTOS, you may receive a small lunch allowance and may be entitled
to a travel allowance depending on the distance between your home
and the VTOS scheme. Limited childcare support is also available.
Signing Arrangements
If you are registered as unemployed, you will not have to 'sign
on' at your local Social Welfare Office while on the course.
5. More Information
For further information on the Back to Education Programme referred
to in this booklet, contact your local Social Welfare Office or
the Department's Information Service. Telephone: (01) 7043000.
Information
on Social Welfare Services is also available on RTE's teletext
service AERTEL.
For
further information on the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme,
contact your local VEC.
This
booklet is intended as a guide only and does not purport to be
a legal interpretation
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