Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is good to have that matter clarified.

When I made inquiries on someone's behalf recently, I was informed that those on the jobseeker's transition payment could take part in courses provided by education and training boards and other public bodies free of charge. Moreover, they can avail of a grant of up to €500 where a course is not available in the public system and is provided by a private provider. Is this figure flexible? If a course costs €1,000, it will be difficult for a lone parent on the jobseeker's transition payment who receives a grant of €500 to find the balance of €500. I am aware that similar measures apply in the case of jobseekers.

However, I was specifically told that lone parents transitioning could get up to €500 for a private provider on the basis that it was not available as a public course. It was according to their needs or whatever.