Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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491. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to remedy the difference between the level of the pandemic unemployment payment and the return-to-education allowance and VTOS training allowance in order to encourage and incentivise those out of work to retrain or reskill. [34876/20]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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508. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the disparity between the level of the pandemic unemployment payment and the return-to-education allowance and VTOS training allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34875/20]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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509. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason new first year students at third level cannot claim the pandemic unemployment while other full-time students are entitled to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34878/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 491, 508 and 509 together.

On 5 August the Social Welfare (Covid-19)(Amendment) Act 2019 introduced the Pandemic Unemployment Payment Scheme as a statutory scheme. All recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment including students, who lost their job as a consequence of the pandemic, must continue to satisfy all of the qualifying conditions of the scheme to maintain their payment.

The Back to Education Allowance has been extended as part of the July Stimulus in response to Covid-19. Ordinarily a person must be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a minimum period before being eligible to apply for the scheme when pursuing training or education and these periods have been waived for those in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Similar arrangements apply for further education or VTOS delivered by SOLAS. This ensures that those who have lost their employment during the pandemic have immediate access to a range of educational options.

A person seeking access to full time further education and retain income support will be required to make an application for a jobseeker's payment. The Back to Education Allowance is payable at the jobseeker's rate, currently €203 for the weekly maximum personal rate and increased allowances may be paid for qualifying adults and child dependents. The Back to Education may be payable for the duration of the course depending on the individual circumstances and entitlement to the payment. The Deputy will be aware that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is scheduled to close on 31 March, 2021.

A person who is engaged in part time education may continue to avail of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment while they continue to satisfy the conditions of the scheme.

I would advise any person seeking to return to education to engage with their local Intreo Centre to assess their options.

I trust that this clarifies the position.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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492. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if student nurses disbarred from other work due to their placement can apply for the pandemic unemployment payment. [34880/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Act 2020 put the pandemic unemployment payment on a statutory basis since 5th August. Applicants must satisfy all of the qualifying conditions of the scheme to be eligible for the payment. If the Deputy has the details of an individual in the situation he outlined including details of their placement, I will arrange to have the specific case examined.

The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant payable by the Department of Education and Skills represents the primary support for persons pursuing education.

I trust this information is useful.