Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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201. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied); her views on whether this is a sensible approach to helping persons back into the workforce; and the options available to this person if they wish to complete their Springboard course before taking up a Jobpath place. [40901/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned is in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance and approved for participation on a part time Springboard course. One of the conditions for jobseekers pursuing part-time educational courses including Springboard is that they must satisfy the condition of being available for and genuinely seeking employment and must engage with any activation service to which they are referred. Persons approved for full-time Springboard courses are not referred for activation services.

I am advised that the person concerned has engaged with JobPath and agreed his Personal Progression Plan on 20 September 2017. He will have access to a personal adviser who will assist and support him in his search for employment including advice regarding opportunities in his chosen field of study. His engagement with the JobPath service will be tailored to take account of his course commitments and if he is experiencing difficulties with meeting his obligations with the JobPath service or his educational course he should discuss them with his personal advisor.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.