Michael Ring
Question:729 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will approve the continuation of the back to work scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [23888/00]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
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 labour force. The scheme has a limited number of places and is targeted at people who need the additional income support which the scheme provides 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 14 April 2000. His application was received in the Department on 19 June 2000 – over two months later – and was refused on that basis.