Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
838. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if full-time students in further and higher education can continue to receive the pandemic unemployment payment and enter new full-time further or higher education courses; if there is a planned date for these student-specific supports to end; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32374/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra912. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will allow PUP recipients who wish to undertake vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS, courses to remain on the PUP payment as long as it is available rather than being required to apply for the jobseeker’s payment before taking up such a course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33207/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra914. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will allow recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment to access funding support to take up training courses including those provided by the education and training boards to ensure that those who have lost work can access opportunities to retrain or further their education while unemployed; if changes will be made to support those wishing to do so; if there are courses for which persons on the pandemic unemployment payment can apply for support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33247/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra931. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a requirement for a person on the pandemic unemployment payment wishing to undertake VTOS training courses to move onto jobseeker's allowance before they will be accepted onto a course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33628/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 838, 912, 914 and 931 together.
The Back to Education Allowance has been extended as part of the July Stimulus in response to Covid-19. Ordinarily a person must be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a minimum period before being eligible to apply for the scheme when pursuing training or education and these periods have been waived for those in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Similar arrangements apply for further education or VTOS delivered by SOLAS. This ensures that those who have lost their employment during the pandemic have immediate access to a range of educational options.
A person seeking access to further education will be required to make an application for a jobseekers payment. The Back to Education Allowance is payable at the jobseekers rate, currently €203 for the weekly maximum personal rate and increased allowances may be paid for qualifying adults and child dependents. The Back to Education may be payable for the duration of the course depending on the individual's circumstances and entitlement to the payment.
A person who is engaged in part time education may continue to avail of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment while they continue to satisfy the conditions of the scheme.
I would advise any person seeking to return to education to engage with their local Intreo Centre to assess their options.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
