Part-Time Education Option

The Part-Time Education Option (PTEO) allows you to keep your Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) or Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) or Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) (JBSE) and attend a part-time day or evening course of education or training.

You must continue to meet the conditions for Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) or Jobseeker’s Allowance. This means that you must be able to show that you are still actively looking for full-time work, willing to take up work and that the course is likely to improve your chances of getting a job. If you are offered work while on the course you will be expected to accept the job offer.

Appeals

The Part-Time Education Option is an administrative scheme. However, you can appeal a decision to refuse you the PTEO if you have been refused because you are considered not to be available for full-time work.

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

It is not the same as the Back to Education Allowance or the Education, Training and Development Option.

Keep your jobseeker’s payment

If you are getting Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) you may take up the Part-Time Education Option and continue to get your jobseeker’s payment. Your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office must be satisfied that the course is likely to improve your chances of getting a job.

You must continue to satisfy the conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work.

Courses covered

You can take part in a part-time day course, evening course or early morning course, distance education or a part-time course under the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) or Springboard. In some cases, part-time courses which run during the normal working day will be accepted, for example, courses under the BTEI.

A wide range of subjects is available under the BTEI. For example:

• Basic adult education
• Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate subjects such as English and maths
• Other courses include: personal development, catering, tourism, communication, sport and leisure.

Finding a course

To find out about available courses and get advice on how to get a place on a course, you should contact your local ETB, school or college, public library or Citizens Information Centre (CIC).

The Part-Time Education Option does not involve any special payment or allowance. You continue to get your Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) at your usual rate and any other secondary benefits.

All applications for the PTEO should be made on form PTEO1 (pdf). You will be asked to provide information about your course, for example, the course time-table.

Apply for the Part-Time Education Option at your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.