BTEA and paid work placement

Gadgie

I'm going on work placement in January until the end of August as part of my course. The placement will be paid. I am currently receiving the Back to Education Allowance - does anyone know if I'll still be entitled to receive it while on placement?

I've checked welfare.ie and it says you can receive the BTEA during the summer if your placement is unpaid, but doesn't mention anything about paid placement.

Of course the smart thing to do would be to ring the DoSP and ask them, but based on past experience I think I could get several different answers depending on who picks up the phone...

Has anyone here been in the same situation?

Ging Ging

I don't know the answer to your question but I am in a similar boat as 3month work experience is a mandatory part of my course. As far as I can see you should by the letter of the law, be entitled to keep your payments over the summer months whether paid by a company or not. Maybe best not to bring up pay unless asked.
I'm not going to bother asking my local office as they have proved in the past to be more than willing to give me any answer (quite often incorrect) that floats into their head just to get me to go away.
I was thinking of ringing btea head office in Carrick on Shannon to see what they had to say, as they were helpful in the past.
My situation is further complicated by the fact that I was planning to do my placement (March - June) abroad.
I can only afford to do this if I can keep BTEA, otherwise I will have to do it in Ireland (most likely unpaid). I havn't found an answer to it as of yet but fingers crossed.
Let me know if you get any further information on this.