Govt relaxes eligibility for Back to Education scheme
15/08/2005 - 14:28:49Social and Family Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan has announced a relaxation of the eligibility rules for the Back to Education Allowance.
Under the scheme, people who have been on social welfare for at least 15 months keep their dole entitlements while they participate in third-level education.
Mr Brennan said today that, from September, the allowance would be available to people who have been unemployed for just nine months.
Announcing the move, the minister said it would help unemployed people acquire the skills to get jobs that suit them.
"This will pay for itself in the long term," he said.
