Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2016
104. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will change the qualifying criteria for training support grants to enable those availing of education under the National Framework of Qualifications level 7 to receive payment at that level, rather than currently as at level 6; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1981/16]
View answerThe Training Support Grant (TSG) is designed to fund quick access to short-term training where this cannot be provided by a state provider within a reasonable time or where an intervention is identified that can support individual jobseekers to access work opportunities.
This scheme is not designed to provide general or more structured training for jobseekers. Access to the scheme is via the Department’s case officers who are tasked with identifying support interventions for jobseekers, particularly where a job opportunity has been identified or where an intervention will enable an application for work to be made.
The scheme is activation focused and the jobseeker is required to provide reasonable evidence or grounds of need (for example in the form of a potential job offer) or a requirement to maintain or achieve accreditation, for example, certain certification such as required to work in particular sectors such as construction, catering or the caring sectors. Courses above Level 6 on the QQI do not fall within the ambit of this scheme. Courses above Level 6 are supported under the Department’s Back to Education Programme.
