Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
515. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider making exemptions for those on Covid-19 payment schemes who wish to carry out courses with bodies such as SOLAS in Shannon or with FÁS and who have been told that, due to the fact they must be available for work, they cannot undertake these courses. [23933/20]
View answer520. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will receive support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24031/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 520 together.
The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant, payable by the Department of Education and Skills, represents the primary support for people pursuing third level education. The matter of supports for students for the forthcoming academic year should be referred to the Department of Education and Skills.
The Back To Education Allowance is available to those commencing the first year of a new course. Details of the Back To Education Allowance Scheme are available on www.gov.ie. An eligible person will be required to transfer from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to the relevant qualifying social welfare scheme to continue to receive income support while availing of full-time education provision. The qualification period will be deemed to have been met for a person transferring from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Job search and activation supports are available from my department's Intreo Public Employment Service, which maintains a close relationship with SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards on appropriate re-skilling and upskilling opportunities for young jobseekers. Any person that is unemployed and seeking to undertake a course is encouraged to engage with their local Intreo centre to assess the options available to them.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy at this time.
