Vol. 563 No. 4
615 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who was approved for the back to work scheme was not awarded full entitlements for three years while working, in view of the fact that a second application should not have been necessary when the employment ceased and then recommenced; and the reason this person's back to work scheme payment did not continue when he returned to the workforce again. [7683/03]
The person concerned was awarded the back to work allowance from August 2000. In March 2002 he informed the Department that he was no longer working and payment of the allowance was stopped accordingly. He took up employment again in April 2002 and reapplied for the allowance in September over four months later. His application was refused as it was late.
The back to work allowance is targeted at people who need the additional income support 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. This is clearly stated on the application form.
Similarly, persons previously on the scheme must reapply for the allowance before returning to work in order to determine their continuing eligibility.
