Springboard Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020

Tuesday, 14 July 2020

Ceisteanna (778)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

778. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position of those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment in accessing Springboard courses; the reason some who have applied in recent days have been told that their employment status is unknown, including those whose sectors are still closed down due to Covid-19 restrictions but are still employed by their respective companies or businesses; the reason these persons are being told to refer to their local case workers when they have not been assigned such a case worker; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15782/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Department's part-time education option and back to education allowance provide income support for jobseekers who wish to pursue Springboard courses. The main focus of these income supports are to assist qualifying applicants to improve their educational qualifications and improve their prospects of gaining employment while maintaining a welfare payment.

It is expected that, during the course of the roadmap to recovery, as many people as possible in receipt of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment will return to employment prior to the commencement of the Springboard 2020/21 academic year.

At the point of commencement of a new course of education a person in receipt of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment will be required to establish an entitlement to a Jobseeker's payment. I would advise that the details of the cases referred to by the deputy are provided to my department for review.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Question No. 779 answered with Question No. 693.