Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2017
450. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to extending community employment eligibility to persons signing for jobseeker's credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10407/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersons signing for credits only (i.e. not in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment) are not eligible to participate on Community Employment (CE) schemes. They may, however, be eligible to avail of other up-skilling opportunities, for example, through Education and Training Board (ETB) training for unemployed people. Although not eligible to receive a training allowance while undertaking the course, they may receive some support for expenses on travel, meals and accommodation.
Persons signing for credits for six months or more are also entitled to participate on ETB-run VTOS courses, subject to availability. Springboard and Skillnets courses for unemployed people, funded through the Department of Education and Skills, are also open to people regardless of their social welfare status. In addition, persons signing on for credits for 12 months or longer, over the previous 18 months, are eligible to participate on Momentum courses through SOLAS, provided that they have been actively seeking work.
Many other services are also available to people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment. For example, employment services, such as advice on job-search activities and the use of online job search tools, are available to people if they register with my Department’s Intreo offices regardless of their social welfare status.
The Government is committed to supporting as many people as possible to participate more fully in employment and to become more self-sufficient by providing supports that address barriers they may encounter in finding and sustaining employment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
