Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Revenue Job Assist Scheme.

Bernard Allen

Question:

363 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to remove the condition on the revenue job assist whereby those on the back to work allowance scheme are denied the revenue job assist in view of the fact that this impediment is discouraging persons from returning to work due to the poverty trap. [1761/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

The Revenue job assist scheme was introduced in 1998 to complement a range of schemes, including the back to work allowance scheme, already available to assist the long-term unemployed back into employment.

As a general principle, individuals are entitled to benefit from no more than one employment scheme at the same time and the legislation governing the revenue job assist provides accordingly.

There is no evidence that this condition is discouraging people from returning to work and I have no plans to alter this condition.