asked the Minister for Labour if it is his policy that AnCO trainees will not be worse off financially than they would have been had they remained on social welfare; if he will adjust the allowances to AnCO trainees who would have become long-term unemployed and qualified for fuel allowance and the Christmas bonus had they remained on social welfare and not undertaken training; and if he will a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - AnCO Trainees Allowances.
219.
It is my policy that training allowances be set at a level not less than an individual's entitlement to social welfare payments at the time of commencement of training. Where trainees are entitled to unemployment benefit at the time of recruitment to training their entitlement to an allowance equivalent to this level is maintained for the duration of the course regardless of whether their entitlements would otherwise have expired during the period of the training course. Such trainees would therefore have benefited by remaining at the higher level of allowance for the duration of their training.
In the case of social welfare recipients, a Christmas bonus is payable only to persons in receipt of long-term unemployment assistance. This also applies to persons in training, who are in receipt of allowances equivalent to long-term unemployment assistance.
Prior to 17 August, 1987, persons of 18 years and over entering training were normally paid an allowance equivalent to the appropriate unemployment benefit rate. For those on long-term unemployment assistance this was normally an increase over their social welfare entitlement.
On 17 August, 1987, training allowances were harmonised with social welfare unemployment assistance rates. Persons already in training on that date continued to receive allowances equivalent to the more favourable unemployment benefit rates. Therefore, like recipients of unemployment benefit rates under the Department of Social Welfare, they do not qualify for a Christmas bonus.