Back to Education Programme

The Back to Education Programme can support you to take part in educational and personal development courses that will help you access employment. There are 3 different options under the Back to Education Programme:

Back to Education Allowance

The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) can support people getting a social welfare payment to access second-level and third-level education. The BTEA is paid for the duration of your course and is paid at the same rate as your previous social welfare payment.

You must meet certain criteria to qualify for the Back to Education Allowance.

Part-Time Education Option

If you are unemployed, the Part-Time Education Option allows you to keep your Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit and attend a part-time day or evening course that will improve your chances of getting a job. You continue to get your jobseeker's payment at your usual rate. You must also continue to be available for and actively seeking work. This means you still need to sign on at your Social Welfare Local Office.

There are no specific eligibility criteria for the Part-Time Education Option. You can be any age and may be unemployed for any length of time before starting a part-time course of education.

Education, Training and Development Option

If you are getting Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit, the Education, Training and Development Option allows you to keep your social welfare payment and attend a course not covered by the standard Back to Education Allowance. This might be a personal development course, a basic education course (for example, literacy classes) a general training course or specific job skills. You continue to get your jobseeker's payment at your usual rate.

You must meet certain criteria to qualify for the Education, Training and Development Option.