Back to Education Programmes

There are Back to Education Programmes for people who wish to return to education if they are long-term unemployed. Your eligibility for these schemes depends on your situation, and the level of education you have already reached.

These range from part time to full time options. You have the choice of returning to second level, third level, or postgraduate study.

What Back to Education Programmes are available?

Take a look at the Back to Education programmes available to find out what might be best for you.

Back to Education Initiative

The Back to Education Initiative offers part-time further education courses. It is aimed at people over 16 who left full-time education with less than an upper second level qualification (e.g. the Leaving Cert).

Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)

The BTEA is aimed at unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities who receive social welfare payments. There are three different payments available depending on what type of course you would like to do.

• Back to Education Allowance – Second Level – You can attend a second-level course of education at any secondary, community, comprehensive or vocational school
• Back to Education Allowance – Third Level – You can attend any third-level course in an approved third level institution
• Back to Education Allowance – Postgraduate – To qualify, you must be over 24 and getting a qualifying social welfare payment

Part-Time Education Option

The Part-Time Education Option (PTEO) allows you to get your Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit and attend a part-time day or evening course. Courses can include:

• Basic adult education
• Completing Junior or Leaving Certificate subjects
• Training and education in an area you would like to work in

Education, Training and Development Option

The Education, Training and Development Option are short courses that let you retain your Jobseeker’s payment. Courses can include personal development, general training, job skills or evening courses.

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm. Chat to us now about your situation.

• Chat now to a trained Youth Information Officer
• Or leave us a message and we will email you back