Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2015
203. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on a technical assessment and training to avail of an incentive scheme (details supplied); if consideration will be given to reverting to the terms of the old scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6057/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Departmental review of employment support schemes made a range of recommendations, including the need for a rationalisation of current schemes to support jobseekers. The schemes reviewed included the training employment support grant (TESG) and the technical assistance and training scheme (TATS). Further work undertaken took account of developments in the supports available to jobseekers and changes in the services offered by Solas and the newly created Education and Training Boards.
Two new schemes of supports for jobseekers have been introduced in recent months, replacing the above mentioned schemes. A new enterprise support grant has been put in place to offer specific supports to jobseekers starting their own business and who have been approved for income support under the back to work enterprise allowance scheme. A training support grant (TSG) has also been developed to support the Department’s activation objectives.
Like the former TESG, the new TSG is designed to fund quick access to short-term training where this cannot be provided by a state provider within a reasonable time or where a intervention is identified that can support individual jobseekers to access work opportunities. Like the old scheme, the TSG is not designed specifically to provide general training for jobseekers. Access to the new scheme is via the Department’s case officers who are tasked with identifying the most support intervention for jobseekers, particularly where a job opportunity has been identified.
The maximum fund available to jobseekers under the scheme is €500 p.a. TSG is designed to be a more activation focused grant than TESG. The training sought by the jobseeker must form part of the agreed personal progression or action plan to enter/re-enter the labour market.
The operational guidelines for the scheme were drawn up to ensure a consistent approach nationally and set out clearly defied criteria for eligibility. As with all new schemes, the Department will closely monitor implementation and the guidelines will be reviewed over time, if this is found to be necessary.
