Question:
186 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will review the decision to refuse the back to work allowance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [21440/00]
Written Answers. - Back to Work Allowance Scheme.
The objective of the back to work allowance scheme is to provide a financial incentive to lone parents and long-term unemployed persons to return to the active labour force. The scheme has a limited number of places and it is targeted at people who need the additional income support which the scheme pro vides in order to make it financially attractive to them to return to employment. The rules of the scheme therefore require that an application must be made prior to taking up employment.
Claims made after the person has started work indicate that the person was in a position to take up employment without the need for the financial support which the scheme provides.
The person concerned commenced employment on 20 March 2000. His application was received in the Department on 29 August 2000 – five months later – and was refused on that basis.
Question No. 187 taken with Question No. 163.