Vol. 442 No. 6
39 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether those who are in receipt of unemployment assistance are encouraged to complete courses such as home correspondence courses with a view to broadening their qualifications for work; and if the undertaking of any such courses inhibits entitlement to unemployment assistance in any way.
All applicants for unemployment payments are required to show that they are able to satisfy the statutory conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking employment. My Department operates a number of educational schemes designed to allow unemployed people an opportunity to improve their academic qualifications and hence enhance their job prospects. These schemes which allow claimants to return to full-time or part-time education while continuing to receive their social welfare payments and any secondary benefits are as follows: the vocational training and opportunities scheme (VTOS) — second level certificate courses — the third level allowance.
If an individual is not eligible for one of the above schemes or does not wish to pursue a full-time or part-time course of study she/he may attend an evening course of study or pursue a course of study through home correspondence without inhibiting entitlement to unemployment assistance.
