Written answers

Wednesday, 16 June 2021

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Departmental Schemes

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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158. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons with disabilities that are currently availing of the training support grants. [32505/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Training Support Grant, available through my Department, is designed to support quick access to short-term training where the training is not delivered by a State provider.

As part of the July Stimulus the funding available through this grant was doubled from €500 to €1,000. There is a provision of €11.3m for this support in 2021 to assist with the training needs of up to 12,000 individuals.

The grant assisted approximately 3,000 jobseekers with short-term training needs in 2020. Statistics are not maintained on the number of individuals with disabilities assisted under this grant.

Also announced in Budget 2020 was the extension of the facility of the Training Support Grant through Employability Service contractors. The administrative measures to support this extension are being put in place and it is expected to be operational shortly.

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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159. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the breakdown of the groups of disabled persons that are applying for the training support grants. [32506/21]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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160. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount of funds within her Department allocated for the training support grant. [32507/21]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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161. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the courses or training opportunities for which the training support grant has been used. [32512/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 159, 160 and 161 together.

The Training Support Grant, available through my Department, is designed to support quick access to short-term training where the training is not delivered by a State provider. Supports are tailored to the individual and there are no restrictions on the industry or sector where training may be supported. The grant can be used for courses up to level 6 on the QQI or training such as safe pass, driving licences, HACCP or security industry permits as appropriate.

As part of the July Stimulus the funding available through this grant was doubled from €500 to €1,000. There is a provision of €11.3m for this support in 2021 to assist with the training needs of up to 12,000 individuals.

The grant assisted approximately 3,000 jobseekers with short-term training needs in 2020. Statistics are not maintained on the number of individuals with disabilities assisted under this grant.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

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