Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will continue to pay benefits to unemployed persons on FÁS training courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8457/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Under social welfare legislation a person who receives a jobseeker's payment must be, inter alia, available for and genuinely seeking work in respect of each day for which unemployment is claimed. Accordingly, a person who is engaged on a full-time training course would not satisfy the required legislative conditions to receive a jobseeker's payment.

However, as FÁS training courses can enhance a person's employability, separate arrangements apply in respect of trainees. Under these arrangements, people in receipt of jobseeker's payments instead receive a FÁS training allowance for the duration of the training course. The training allowance amount payable is set with reference to the maximum social welfare rate appropriate to the trainee's circumstances, with an additional amount of €20 per week payable in addition to this. The area that deals with training in FÁS has its own annual budget to operate this system of allowances.

This arrangement has several advantages. From the trainee's viewpoint, the additional €20 assists towards any transaction costs associated with attending the course. For people who are in receipt of a reduced rate of jobseeker's payment, due, for example, to a means assessment or the application of a graduated rate, the level of payment of the training allowance, at a rate equivalent to maximum jobseeker's rate, can provide a strong financial incentive to participate in training. Additionally, the fact that people leave the Live Register for the duration of the training course can be an important psychological factor in ultimately assisting the transition from welfare to work. These arrangements have been in place for many years and there are no plans at present to change them.