Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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461. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to address the situation whereby persons who are referred to a company (details supplied) by her Department are then not eligible to be considered for SOLAS courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47767/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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All customers in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment, including those currently engaged with the activation services provided directly by the Intreo Service or on behalf of my Department by contracted providers are eligible to apply for a place on the further educational and training courses funded and co-ordinated by SOLAS.

In addition, they may also apply for the Back to Education Allowance Scheme in order to pursue second and third level courses.

To facilitate Jobseekers to pursue approved longer term programmes of education, they will not be required to engage with the activation service whilst they are completing the course of education.

If the Deputy has details of a specific customer who is experiencing some difficulty accessing training, he can provide details to my Department for investigation.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.