Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the assistance that can be offered to a person with an open application for a disability allowance and conditions such as epilepsy and anxiety who is being obliged to comply with Turas Nua despite not being fit to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45161/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed, including those working part time and those at risk of becoming long-term unemployed, to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. All jobseekers over one year on the Live Register are eligible for selection for the JobPath service and clients are chosen by means of a random selection process.

All Jobseekers on the live register must be capable of; available for and actively seeking full time employment. They are also required to engage with the Department’s activation services. The Social Welfare (Consolidated) Act 2005, as amended, specifies that participation in activation meetings is mandatory.

Where an existing JobPath participant subsequently submits an application for Disability Allowance they should immediately advise their Local Office of their change in circumstances. The participant’s JobPath referral will be paused pending a decision being made on their application. Pausing a JobPath referral removes the obligation to engage with the JobPath provider for a specified period of time and ensures that no penalties are incurred by persons awaiting a decision on a Disability payment.

If the Deputy would like to provide details of the specific case I will arrange to have it investigated by my Department.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.