Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1143. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are available to support a young person who is on JobPath with an organisation (details supplied) and is trying to access funding to undertake a bus and coach driving instructor course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30622/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for the question. Without the particular details for the individual concerned I am unable to make enquires into the particular circumstance that the Deputy raises.
However, the following broad principles apply. Participants on JobPath receive intensive individual support to help overcome barriers to employment and to find employment. Each person is assigned a personal advisor who assesses their skills, experience, challenges and work goals and agrees a personal progression plan, that includes a schedule of activities, including relevant training and educational programmes to assist them in finding full-time sustainable employment. There are no barriers to any participants pursuing further education and training courses, provided they are relevant to the agreed personal progression plan.
JobPath providers have their own discretionary funds available to pay for training or other interventions; the decision to approve a request for funding is at the discretion of the JobPath provider. They will consider the duration, cost and relevance to the customer’s job goal preferences. The prevalence of employment opportunities in the sector will also be considered along with the likelihood that the customer secures full-time employment upon completion of the course.
Several courses are provided in-house while others are provided by specialist training providers including the Education and Training Boards (ETBs).
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
