Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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300. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for the training support grant by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and the additional financial supports that the applicant would be eligible for to support the person's studies. [39441/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Training Support Grant (TSG) is designed to fund quick access to short-term training or related interventions for Jobseekers who have identified work opportunities or where Case Officers have identified an immediate skills gap that represents an obstacle to a Jobseeker in taking up a job offer. Priority is given to those who are most likely to progress to employment following this intervention.

Under TSG operational guidelines, short-term training is typically regarded as not exceeding a period of 9 months. Longer duration training or courses of study are more properly provided by Solas/ETB or other agencies which are likely to be supported under the Back to Education Programme or the Part-Time Education Option.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned contacted the Activation Team in Ballymun Intreo Centre to enquire about funding for a QQI Level 5 Online Early Childhood course of 16 months duration at a cost of €1,050.

Having assessed the request, the person concerned was advised she did not qualify for the TSG as the duration of the course exceeded the duration as set out in the TSG guidelines.

Alternative options were offered to the person concerned, which would result in a similar qualification. The person concerned declined to avail of these options due to health issues and commitments with medical appointments.

On further review of the online training course, it was identified that 150 hours of work experience would be required to achieve the Level 5 qualification. This requirement is also not in compliance with the operational guidelines for the TSG.

It is open to the person concerned to contact the Activation Team in Ballymun if she wishes to pursue the alternative options open to her.

I trust this clarifies the matter.