Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2021
149. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to include driver training courses as part of the eligible items for grant support under the enterprise support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30010/21]
View answerThe Enterprise Support Grant is a fund which provides supports towards certain business start-up expenses for back to work enterprise allowance recipients who are commencing in self-employment. This grant is awarded with business start-up expenses where the costs have received prior approval from a Department case officer. The new Covid-19 Enterprise Support Grant for the self-employed coming from PUP is available towards business re-start costs. This grant is not a training support.
There may be alternative grant support to assist with driver training such as the Training Support Grant which is designed to support quick access to short-term training where the training is not delivered by a State provider. The grant can be provided where an immediate skills gap is identified that represents an obstacle to taking up a job offer or accessing other opportunities.
If there is a particular case that the Deputy is referring to, the details should be forwarded to my Department for review.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
