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Social Welfare Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

Questions (430)

Niall Collins

Question:

430. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to retraining and upskilling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47514/21]

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Written answers

The person concerned was awarded a Jobseeker's Benefit payment with effect from 4/2/2021. She submitted an application for a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) dated 1/9/21 to pursue a Post Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability. There are a number of qualifying criteria for receipt of BTEA for Third Level Option including that a person be in receipt of a qualifying payment and have been paid for a minimum of 9 months (234) days. Fully unemployed persons are not paid for a Sunday and a weekly payment constitutes 6 days from Monday to Saturday. Unfortunately the person concerned was not in receipt of a Jobseeker's payment for 234 days immediately prior to the start date of her chosen course on 13/9/2021. The person concerned has currently received 204 days Jobseeker's Benefit up to 29/9/2021.

Jobseekers awarded Statutory Redundancy under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 - 2012 have access to the BTEA Scheme immediately on being made redundant or within one year of the award of Statutory Redundancy. The Jobseeker must establish an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment immediately prior to the commencement of an approved course of study. A Jobseeker who opts for voluntary/mandatory redundancy cannot be approved for BTEA under this provision. As the person concerned was not awarded Statutory Redundancy, she does not qualify for BTEA under this option.

The person concerned appealed the decision of the deciding officer. Following a review of her circumstances by a reviewing officer the decision remains unchanged.

It is open to the person concerned to contact the Activation service in Ballymun to discuss alternative educational opportunities available. The Activation service can be contacted at ActivationBallymun@welfare.ie

It is regretted that the person concerned found the BTEA information and guidelines available from my Department's website and from Ballymun Activation service unclear.

Student Universal Support Ireland is Ireland's national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. Should the person concerned wish to pursue her course of study she can contact www.susi.ie for further information.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

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