Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 6

Written Answers. - Employment Support Services.

John Ellis

Ceist:

315 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will grant a back to work allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim who was not made aware at the time of her return to work of her entitlements to this allowance. [10441/00]

Gerry Reynolds

Ceist:

317 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim did not receive a back to work allowance. [10446/00]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 317 together.

The objective of the back to work allowance scheme is to provide a financial incentive to lone-parents and long-term unemployed persons to return to the active labour force. The scheme has a limited number of places and it is targeted at people who need the additional income support which the scheme provides in order to return to employment. The rules of the scheme therefore require that an application must be made prior to taking up employment. Claims made subsequently indicate that the person was in a position to take up employment without the need for the financial support which the scheme provides.

No application for the allowance has been received from the person concerned. She inquired about the back to work allowance in June 1999 when her entitlement to a one parent family payment ceased. She is now being advised to formally apply for the back to work allowance and an application form is being sent to her.

The question as to whether she qualifies for the allowance will depend on the circumstances of the case and I will advise both Deputies of the outcome of the application in due course.