Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
390. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 300 of 26 November 2020, if she will give the matter further consideration in view of correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41550/20]
View answerWhen assessing an application for a Training Support Grant (TSG), a Case Officer must carry out their assessment in accordance with the Operational Guidelines for the scheme.
As the scheme is designed to fund quick access to short-term training, one of the disqualifications listed in the guidelines states that short-term training is typically regarded as being a period of 9 months or less. Longer duration training or courses of study are more properly provided by Solas/ETB or other agencies or which are likely to be supported under the Back to Education Programme or Part-Time Education Option.
The guidelines also provide that all decisions made under this scheme can be reviewed by an officer not involved in the original decision. Accordingly, a Case Officer not involved in the original decision undertook a review of the TSG application from the person concerned and on completion of the review upheld the original decision; that the chosen course of study exceeded the maximum time allowed under the terms of the scheme.
It is open to the person concerned to contact the Activation Team in Ballymun if she wishes to pursue alternative options open to her.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
