Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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652. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if training support grants for essential articulated truck driver training are being approved and allocated under level 5 restrictions particularly in respect of persons who plan to carry out essential work in food delivery during the pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16460/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Training Support Grant, available through my Department, is designed to fund short-term training where the training is not available through a State provider. A grant of up to €1,000 per jobseeker can be provided where an immediate skills gap is identified that represents an obstacle to taking up a job offer or accessing other opportunities. Funding for courses up to and including QQI level 6 is available, including support towards the costs of driver training. €11.3m has been provided by my Department for this grant in 2021.

While the primary focus of the scheme is on jobseekers and on supporting the activation policy of the Department, the grant is also available for individuals in receipt of other qualifying payments, including the PUP, who may be looking to up-skill when seeking employment. There is no qualifying period to access this grant.

Together with the jobseeker, a Case Officer in an Intreo Centre may identify a skills gap that represents an obstacle to applying for or taking up employment. Where approved, the grant is payable to the training provider on completion of the training.

Jobseekers who participate in essential driver training can be funded through this grant where the training is permitted to continue under level 5 restrictions. My Department have no role in the provision of this training.

If there is a particular case that the Deputy has a concern about, the details should be forwarded to my Department for review.

I trust this clarifies the matter.