Written Answers Nos. 630 - 652
630. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the restructuring of MABS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50132/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB), which has statutory responsibility for the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and the Citizens Information Services (CIS) decided, on 15th February 2017, to restructure the governance arrangements of these services.
The decision taken reduces the number of local CIS and MABS company boards from ninety three to a sixteen regional boards structure, comprising eight CIS boards and eight MABS boards. CIB has taken this operational decision following years of analysis of options and a detailed consultation period with all stakeholders on the need for a more streamlined governance model. The changes are being made at local company board level only. The valuable work carried out by employees and volunteers working in CIS services and employees of MABS services will continue as heretofore.
The Citizens Information Board is committed to the principle of local involvement in service delivery and has already held discussions on proposed new Local Advisory Committees. CIB is committed to giving this matter further attention, through the Implementation Group’s work, to devise a strategy to embed an effective and supportive network to ensure that the long standing, helpful, local linkages are not lost under the new governance arrangements.
With regard to membership of the new regional boards, CIB has committed to apply modern best practice and fairness in its selection and recruiting methods, in line with best practice guidelines developed by the Public Appointments Service. Existing Board members of local CIS and MABS companies will also have an opportunity to express their interest in joining the new regional boards.
I am informed that Kerry MABS is included in the initial phase of the restructuring process in the South Munster region. I am also informed that as the restructuring process progresses, all CIS and MABS services will be requested to commence gathering the information required to facilitate what is known as the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employees) (TUPE) process for employees and the transfer of business assets/liabilities.
It is the intention of CIB to provide information and support through the transitional period, and in this regard, information sessions are being organised for Chairpersons of local services, providing an opportunity for Chairpersons to seek clarifications on the process of transfer to the new regional companies and wind up of the existing companies.
While cost savings was never a key aim of the restructuring of governance arrangements by the CIB, the transition will not be without cost to the Exchequer. It is nonetheless necessary in order to achieve the appropriate standards of accountability expected from 100% publicly funded services. The aim of the change remains to improve existing governance arrangements and to optimise the benefits from operating a more modern and streamlined citizen-focused delivery model.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
631. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the European Pillar of Social Rights is binding. [49849/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 26 April 2017, the European Commission published its proposals on the next stage of the European Pillar of Social Rights in the form of an ‘Inter-Institutional Proclamation’ to be signed by the Presidents of the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament. The signing ceremony was held at the EU Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth in Gothenburg which I attended with the Taoiseach on 17 November.
The European Pillar of Rights is a political commitment at EU level to ensuring social rights keep pace with the fiscal and monetary progress made under Economic and Monetary Union. The Government is fully supportive of the principles set out in the Interinstitutional Proclamation.
The Proclamation is a political, rather than a legal document. The European Commission shares this view, referring to the Proclamation as a ‘compass’ for future actions rather than a legally binding instrument.
The Interinstitutional Proclamation is an important political commitment which provides guidance to Member States and the EU institutions. Its aim is to ensure that we have a social system which is robust in the face of 21st century challenges such as globalisation and the changing nature of work. We look forward to advancing this ambitious agenda.
632. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will expedite an appeal for an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49858/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The department received a claim for IP for the gentleman concerned on 28 June 2017. He was refused IP on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on the 16 August 2017 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.
Following the submission of additional evidence by the gentleman in question, the case was reviewed by a deciding officer but the decision to disallow IP was upheld. He appealed the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). An appeals officer (AO), having taken all available information into account, upheld the department’s decision and disallowed the appeal. He was notified of the decision of the AO on 09 November 2017.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
633. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who have had sanctions imposed on their social protection payments in the past five years to date in 2017; the number of persons disqualified from receiving payments for the same period of time, by payment and by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49883/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis PQ is being answered in the context of Jobseekers Activation.
To qualify for a jobseeker payment, a person must meet certain conditions, including the requirement to be available for, capable of and genuinely seeking full-time work. A range of sanctions, including disqualification, closure or disallowance of the jobseeker claim, may be imposed where a client fails to meet the stated conditions. A jobseeker claim may be reviewed at any time in order to establish continued entitlement. Jobseekers may be disallowed entitlement to a Jobseeker’s payment if they are not available for or genuinely seeking work.
In addition, the activation process requires jobseekers to attend group or individual meetings, and/or avail of suitable education, training or development opportunities, or specified employment programmes, which are considered appropriate to the individual person’s circumstances. Sanctions/penalties may be imposed in the form of reduced payments where jobseekers fail, without good cause, to comply with activation measures. Jobseekers who refuse to engage with services, refuse an appropriate offer of training or education, or do not attend meetings, can have their payment reduced by up to €44 a week (introduced in April 2011).
Strengthened sanctions were introduced in July 2013 to provide for a disqualification from payment for a period of up to 9 weeks, in circumstances where a jobseeker who has had a penalty rate imposed for 21 days, continues to fail to engage. The normal rate of payment may be reinstated at any time, if the jobseeker complies, as requested, with the activation measures.
The total numbers of penalty rates applied (includes reduced rate and 9 week disqualifications), from 2012 to Oct 2017 are indicated in the following table. A breakdown by scheme (JA/JB) or by penalty rate is not available.
|
Year |
No. of Penalty Rates applied |
|
2012 |
1,519 |
|
2013 |
3,395 |
|
2014 |
5,325 |
|
2015 |
6,743 |
|
2016 |
10,867 |
|
2017 to end Oct |
14,637 |
634. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons (details supplied) are entitled to the fuel allowance scheme. [49886/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuel allowance is a means tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments to provide for their heating needs. The payment is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
In order to be eligible for fuel allowance, a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfy a household means test and live alone or only with certain other qualified people.
The person concerned applied for fuel allowance on 28 October 2014. In addition to their state pension (contributory) payment, the applicant was also in receipt of an occupational pension. Their application was disallowed as their means exceeded the allowable limit at that time. The person was notified of this decision in writing on 14 November 2014. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has not re-applied for fuel allowance.
In order to satisfy the fuel allowance means test an applicant and their spouse can have a combined weekly household income of up to €100.00 above the maximum rate of state pension (contributory) plus increase for qualified adult. Based on current payment rates this limit is €551.80 per week.
If the circumstances of the person have changed and the person considers that they now satisfy the means test, it is open to them to re-apply for fuel allowance. `On receipt of their application, their eligibility will be examined and they will be notified of the outcome without delay.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
635. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if it is compulsory to return to JobPath in the case of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that they completed a year on JobPath in August 2017. [49901/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll Jobseekers on the live register must be capable of; available for and actively seeking full time employment, they are also required to engage with the Department’s activation services. The Social Welfare (Consolidated) Act 2005, as amended, specifies that participation in activation meetings is mandatory.
Clients for JobPath are chosen by means of a random selection process and protocols for selection currently preclude the selection of anyone who has already completed 52 weeks on the JobPath programme within the previous four months. The person concerned completed their JobPath referral in August 2017 and is not currently eligible for selection for a second period of activation support with the JobPath service.
All jobseekers that have completed their 52 week engagement with JobPath, without finding suitable and sustainable employment, are being referred back to their Intreo centres for an assessment by a Departmental case officer.
In this case, an assessment was completed by an Intreo Case Officer shortly after he finished with the JobPath service. The options available and offered to him included referrals to the Local Employment Service; the local Partnership for assistance and advice regarding setting up his own business and work placements with CE and Tús. However, he did not wish pursue those options at that time. However, he will be considered for other activation supports on an ongoing basis including JobPath when he becomes eligible.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
636. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of vacancies in each State board under the aegis of her Department, in tabular form. [49935/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, the Low Pay Commission, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council, the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
There are no vacancies on the boards of any of these statutory bodies at present.
637. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter regarding deductions from a social protection payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49988/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability allowance (DA) is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability whose income falls below certain limits and who are aged between 16 and are under 66. Income from employment is assessable for means purposes for DA.
Following notification from this gentleman of new employment his rate of DA payment was reduced accordingly due to earnings from this employment.
This gentleman has since contacted us to state that he did not take up employment and his payment has been re-instated to full amount from 23 August 2017. Full arrears have issued to this gentleman.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
638. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the procedures by which organisations, companies and projects which take on persons on the community employment scheme can advertise a position; the restrictions that exist on such advertisement; and her views on whether this has restricted the ability of such schemes to take on such employees. [49970/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra639. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the procedures by which persons seeking employment on a community employment scheme can apply for such positions; if it is possible to apply without use of the Internet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49971/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra640. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on recent changes to the recruitment and applications procedures for the community employment schemes that have made it more difficult for persons with literacy challenges and limited computer skills to apply to and access community employment schemes; her further views on the fact that giving opportunities to persons who have such skill and literacy challenges is one of the primary objectives of the community employment scheme. [49972/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 638 to 640, inclusive, together.
The aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. The programme helps break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market.
CE sponsors advertise their vacancies free-of-charge on my Department's JobsIreland website - www.jobsireland.ie. Posting vacancies is a relatively simple process and a dedicated video tutorial is available on the site to assist sponsors. Anyone requiring further assistance can contact my Department’s National Contact Centre by phone at Lo Call 1890 800 024 or (01) 248 1398, or by email at jobsireland@welfare.ie.
Sponsors can also promote their scheme vacancies within their local communities. At a local level, various methods of promoting CE have been arranged between my Department and local CE schemes, including targeting potentially eligible jobseekers to attend a CE job-fare, where details of CE vacancies and employment opportunities are provided.
There have been no recent changes to the recruitment and applications procedures for CE schemes. Jobseekers receive information about all available employment support options, including CE, through the Intreo Service. Jobseekers receive one-to-one support from a case officer and all available and suitable options are discussed. However, jobseekers can also view CE vacancies online on www.jobsireland.ie. Eligible candidates are then referred to sponsors by case officers in their local Intreo Centres.
CE also supports participants in training and development. Training is based on the personal and occupational needs of each individual and includes providing support to address any literacy difficulties. A tailored Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is agreed between the CE supervisor and the participant. The ILP tracks, records and reports on all planned training interventions and achievements in line with the participant’s career plan and employment goals.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
641. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the names of persons she has appointed to each State board under the aegis of her Department who have not come from the Public Appointments Service list of suitable candidates, in tabular form. [49997/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, the Low Pay Commission, The Pensions Authority, The Pensions Council, The Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
A list of the persons whom I have appointed, and who have not come from the Public Appointments Service list of suitable candidates, is detailed in the following table.
|
Name of statutory body |
Name of person(s) appointed |
|
Citizens Information Board |
1. Ms. Nicola Walshe – CIB Staff Representative. Re-appointed on 5/11/2017 under Section 9(4)(c) and Section 9(10) of the Comhairle Act 2000. 2. Mr. Tim Duggan - Officer of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. Re-appointed on 01/09/2017 under Section 9(4)(a) and Section 9(10) of the Comhairle Act 2000. |
|
Pensions Authority |
Mr. Gary Tobin - Representative nominated by the Minister for Finance and appointed on 22/08/2017 under paragraph 2 of the First Schedule to the Pensions Act 1990, (No. 25 of 1990) as amended by the Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013. |
642. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount an organisation (details supplied) receives for each job seeker who is placed with the agency. [50010/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobPath is a payment by results model and all set-up and day-to-day operational costs are borne by the companies. The companies are paid on the basis of performance and with the exception of the initial registration fee; payments are made only when a client has achieved sustained employment. The registration fee may be claimed once a jobseeker has developed a Personal Progression Plan (PPP). Job Sustainment Fees (JSF) are payable for each 13 week period of sustained employment, up to a maximum of 52 weeks (i.e. 4 payments).
The overall cost of JobPath will be determined by the number of people who participate in the programme and the number who get sustainable jobs.
It is not intended to publish the individual payments to the JobPath companies as these are commercially sensitive and to do so would place the State at a disadvantage both in terms of the contracts currently in place and in any future procurement that may be undertaken.
The total amount paid in fees from the outset of the service in July 2015 up to the end of September 2017 is €71.2m.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
643. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the information in her possession in terms of the Pensions Authority investigation of a company's (details supplied) second supplementary fund wind up; when it is likely to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50020/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraScheme trustees have duties and responsibilities under trust law, under other relevant legislation and under the Pensions Act, 1990, as amended. The duties of pension scheme trustees include administering the trust in accordance with the law and the terms of the trust deed and rules. Consequently any decisions made by corporate or individual trustees of an occupational pension scheme are governed by the relevant legislation. The provisions of the Pensions Act are enforced through the supervision of the Pensions Authority.
I have previously confirmed to the Deputy that the matter relating to this particular scheme has been raised by my Department with the Pensions Authority. The Pensions Authority is examining the matter to assess if there has been a breach of obligations and take any necessary action.
Although the Pensions Authority is under the aegis of my Department, it regulates pension schemes entirely independently of my Department. Therefore, I am not in a position to comment on the matter, the process or the length of time it will take.
Scheme members or Deputies are welcome to address queries about the investigation into this scheme directly to the Pensions Authority.
I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
644. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the welfare payment in place for a person (details supplied); the steps that can be taken to ensure the availability of at least a basic payment with a view to the alleviation of hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50023/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned should make a formal application for a SWA Payment at their Local Community Welfare Clinic at Enfield Health Centre, Johnstownbridge Road, Enfield, County Meath. Clinic days are Wednesday, between 10.00am and 12.00noon. Otherwise the Person concerned may contact a Community Welfare Officer immediately at this number 046 9542146.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
645. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason it is necessary for widows to obtain new PPS numbers on the passing of their husbands; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there can be delays in the issuing of these new numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50027/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn this context it is useful to provide the background to the origin of PPS numbers with a 'W' suffix – often referred to as “Level W” numbers.
Under old tax law, the husband of a married couple was considered the assessable spouse and the wife was considered a dependant of the husband. Accordingly, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Revenue) allocated the husband’s Revenue and Social Insurance (RSI) number to the wife and appended a “W” to the end so that they could be separately identified but linked for joint assessment. Following the introduction of PRSI in 1979 Revenue collected social insurance on behalf of this Department and made the necessary transfers using this “Level W” number where required.
Following legislative provision being made in the Finance Act 1993 for either spouse to be the assessable spouse, the practice of allocating “Level W” numbers ceased and from then on, all persons were allocated individual, unique numbers. However, it was decided not to ask all individuals with “Level W” numbers to change them until there was an actual need to do so.
The Personal Public Service Number (PPS Number) was introduced in the Social Welfare Act 1998, replacing the RSI Number, and my Department was given legislative responsibility for allocating and managing these new numbers. In practice the RSI numbers in existence were retained and became PPS Numbers, including “Level W” numbers.
As a result of the changes over 20 years ago, the vast majority of individuals now have their own non “Level W” PPS Numbers.
While there is no legal requirement for a widow to obtain a new PPS Number on the death of her husband, the Revenue position is that while it continues to support “Level W” numbers for the limited range of non-assessable spouse options, its systems now require a non “Level W” number where they are dealing with an individual in his or her own right. Revenue has also stated that accommodating “Level W” numbers for tax purposes would require significant ICT development across a range of Revenue systems. Accordingly, Revenue asks people with “Level W” numbers to change them once they need to engage with them on taxation matters.
In addition, as a husband’s PPS Number may be extracted from his wife’s “Level W” number, there are also Data Protection concerns over the continuing use of such numbers.
The process of replacing a “Level W” number is relatively straightforward. The process can only be undertaken by staff of the Client Identity Section (CIS) in my Department who can be contacted by phone or by email. Accordingly, there is no need for the client to turn up at any office or to queue for service. As part of the process, CIS verifies the identity of the individual, secures their consent, purges the existing number and replaces it with either a new number or one that the individual may have had prior to marriage. In addition, all pre-existing records relating to that individual are transferred over to the new number. Once completed, a letter advising of the new number is issued to the individual at their home address. While every effort is made to complete this work within 24 hours, it can occasionally take up to 5 working days because of volumes. However, urgent cases are always expedited.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
646. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has used a private email account to send or receive official documents or positions on Brexit; and if so, the details of this correspondence. [50058/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection has never used a private email account to send or receive official documents or positions on Brexit.
647. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to extend the Christmas bonus to those in receipt of illness benefit; the estimated cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50076/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was pleased to announce on Budget Day that an 85% Christmas bonus will be paid this year to over 1.2 million long-term social welfare recipients, such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and long-term jobseekers at a cost of €219 million.
The Christmas bonus is payable to persons who are in receipt of long term social welfare payments. Illness Benefit is primarily a short term scheme and, as such, has never been a qualifying payment for the purpose of the Christmas bonus.
While the short-term Illness Benefit scheme is not eligible for the bonus, long-term illness/disability payments are eligible. In this regard, persons who are permanently incapable of work may be eligible for the contributory-based Invalidity Pension (subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria). Persons who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition may be eligible for the means-tested Disability Allowance (subject to the relevant medical criteria). Recipients of both of these payments are eligible for the Christmas Bonus.
The estimated cost of providing an 85% Christmas Bonus to Illness Benefit recipients is €9.11 million. However, there are no plans to change the current arrangements.
648. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to extend the recently implemented maternity benefit scheme for mothers of premature babies to include mothers of premature babies born before 1 October 2017. [50106/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra651. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on extending maternity benefit for mothers of premature babies under the Social Welfare Bill which took effect on the 1 October 2017 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50179/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 648 and 651 together.
The Department of Justice and Equality have responsibility for maternity leave which is provided for in the 1994 and 2004 Maternity Acts. My Department has responsibility for the associated social welfare payment of maternity benefit which is provided for in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended). In 2017 it is estimated that my Department will spend approximately €266 million on maternity benefit, in respect of an average of 22,000 recipients per week.
On 3 October 2017 I, together with my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan T.D., announced increased maternity leave and maternity benefit for mothers whose babies are born prematurely.
Under the new arrangements, in addition to the current 26 weeks of paid maternity leave a mother will be entitled to an additional period of maternity leave and benefit where her baby is born prematurely, where she meets the ordinary qualifying criteria for the schemes. The additional period will commence at the end of the standard 26 week period of paid maternity leave. The extended period to be added will be the number of weeks from the baby's actual date of birth up to two weeks before the expected date of confinement which would have been the 37th week of the pregnancy, at which point the current entitlement to 26 weeks leave and benefit would normally begin.
The Government decided that the additional maternity leave and benefit would be available for mothers of premature babies born on or after 1 October 2017. There are no plans to extend the new arrangements to mothers of premature babies born before that date.
649. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the bodies under the aegis of her Department to which her Department provides in excess of €1 million funding per annum; the public funding received by these bodies; the bodies for which 50% or more of their income comes from public sources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50114/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizen’s Information Board (CIB) is the only body under the aegis of the Department that receives in excess of €1 million funding per annum.
The 2017 REV Estimates provide for a grant of €54.05m to the CIB. The CIB is responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money advice and budgeting) and advocacy on a wide range of public and social services. The CIB delivers on this remit through direct provision, by supporting a network of delivery partners, and by funding targeted projects. CIB requires annual service agreements with its network of service delivery partners.
650. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the additional child dependency rate will be applied to a claim for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50167/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis gentleman has been in receipt of disability allowance (DA) with effect from 31 October 2012.
On 28 September 2017, we received a request from this gentleman to have an increase for a fourth child included in his DA payment. This has been awarded from 26 July 2017 and arrears of payment due have issued by his chosen payment method.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
652. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to address concerns that long ETB training courses limit the earning potential of the long-term unemployed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50262/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA range of short-term and long-term, part-time and full-time ETB courses are available to long-term unemployed jobseekers, including some which the Departments supports through the Back To Education Allowance Scheme. Access to these courses is typically through a Case Officer or a JobPath Case Worker or LES Mediator. Courses may be agreed in the context of an agreed Personal Progression Plan, but at all times are chosen to best support the jobseeker secure full-time, suitable and sustainable employment. Of necessity, some of the courses agreed are long-term. If the person’s circumstances change while participating in the course, they should contact their Case Officer/Case Worker/Mediator to discuss suitable options. A jobseeker would not and could not be prevented from leaving a course to take up an offer of suitable employment.
