Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Beneficiaries Engaged in Education Schemes.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

20 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons entitled to social welfare payment for unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit who have availed of the regulations to engage in educational courses and community development work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

Under the arrangements provided for in the Social Welfare (Availability for Employment) Regulations, 1989, which came into effect in December last there are currently seven unemployment assistance applicants engaged in full-time second level education. In addition 177 people are participating in the vocational training opportunities scheme.

As the regulations only came into effect in December last — when the academic year was already well under way — it is understandable that the number of people who have availed of them up to now is low. I expect that this number will increase significantly when the new academic year begins in Septemper next.

The regulations enable certain unemployment assistance applicants to engage in full-time second level courses of education and at the same time be deemed to satisfy the statutory condition of being available for work subject to satisfying certain qualifying conditions as follows: be in receipt of the long term rate of unemployment assistance, be aged 21 years or over, and participating in a second-level course of education at an approved centre leading to a recognised certificate.

Any claimant wishing to engage in a full-time course of education at second level must notify his or her local office in advance to be considered under the new arrangements. The application is then referred to a deciding officer to determine whether the qualifying conditions are satisfied.

Those availing of the new arrangements continue to receive unemployment assistance and are required to attend weekly at their local office or signing centre to prove unemployment.

The position regarding unemployed persons engaging in third level education and in community development work is at present being examined. Some 50 have participated in the voluntary option to date.