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Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2020

Thursday, 22 October 2020

Questions (116, 122)

Steven Matthews

Question:

116. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given with regard to those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payments and their ability to join full-time retraining courses that would allow them to upskill in which their current employment is adversely affected due to Covid-19. [32089/20]

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Bríd Smith

Question:

122. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment can participate in a full-time training course and retain the payment; if not, if there are plans to allow claimants to take up full-time training to improve their employment opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32128/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 122 together.

The Department’s Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and certain others in receipt of social welfare payments who pursue full-time courses of education at second or third level.  The main focus of the allowance is to assist qualifying applicants to improve their educational qualifications and their prospects of gaining employment. 

The BTEA has been extended as part of the July Stimulus in response to Covid-19.  Ordinarily a person must be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a minimum period before being eligible to apply for the BTEA when pursuing training or education.  The qualifying period has been waived for people coming from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).  This ensures that those who have lost their employment during the pandemic have immediate access to a range of educational options. 

In order to avail of continued financial support while pursuing a full-time course, a person in receipt of PUP should apply for a jobseeker payment.  The BTEA is payable at the jobseeker's rate while they are in education and continue to have an entitlement to the payment.

Where someone in receipt of PUP wishes to pursue short term or part-time study they can continue to receive PUP while they continue to satisfy the conditions of that payment. 

Any person seeking to return to education should engage with their local Intreo Centre to assess their options.

I trust this clarifies the issues for the Deputies.

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