Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 1997

Vol. 474 No. 1

Written Answers. - Back-to-Work Scheme.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

160 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare the situation in relation to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who was assured he would qualify for the back-to-work scheme or the area allowance scheme if he took up employment as an employee, and who now feels aggrieved at being informed otherwise after commencing employment with remuneration fractionally above his social welfare rate; the entitlements, if any, of this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2547/97]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

To qualify for the back-to-work and area allowance schemes, applicants must be at least 12 months on the live register. The person concerned, who was unemployed for nine months, was allowed area allowance by the local partnership company in error. When the allowance was stopped he applied for a back to work allowance in respect of employment which he had taken up but, as he did not fulfil the conditions, the allowance had to be refused.

My Department's local jobs facilitator has been in touch with the person concerned to see what assistance can be provided to him. He may be entitled to family income supplement and he has been advised to make a claim. I am also arranging for the jobs facilitator to consider other possible options in consultation with the local employment service.