Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

488. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the eligibility for the back to education allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44026/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

If a person is unemployed, parenting alone or has a disability and is in receipt of certain payments from my Department, they can take part in a second or third-level education course and receive a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). If attending a second-level course, a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment for 3 months or more and if attending a third-level course, 9 months or more.

Periods spent on a Youthreach course establishes an entitlement to a qualifying social welfare payment and the 3-month qualifying time for BTEA may be waived for a second-level course.

My Department’s records reflect the person concerned was awarded a Jobseeker’s Allowance payment with effect from 23/08/2021 and attended a Youthreach course from 20/01/2020 to 25/06/2021. It appears the period which the person spent on the Youthreach course fulfils the qualifying time for BTEA for a second-level course.

A BTEA application has not been received from the person concerned. Following the Deputy’s representation, I have arranged for a Case Officer from Maynooth to contact the person to discuss the options available to him.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

489. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for an exceptional needs payment can be received in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44035/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As referenced in the Deputy’s Dáil Question No. 713 dated 09/09/2021, the person concerned made an application for an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) on 10/08/2021. This claim was disallowed as it was determined, based on the application and supporting documentation provided, that the need was not exceptional and it was considered reasonable that the person concerned had sufficient means to cover the costs of the items from the household income.

Following the request for a review, the Reviewing Officer found that the Designated Person complied with the legislation and guidelines in disallowing the application on the basis the person concerned has household income of over €800 per week and an amount of almost €4,000 in her bank account. The decision to disallow the application was therefore upheld by the Reviewing Officer and the person concerned was informed of the outcome in writing on 07/09/2021.

If the circumstances of the person concerned have changed since her last ENP application, it is open to her to submit a new application. For the convenience of the person concerned an ENP pack has issued to her home address.

The Health Service Executive and the Department of Education may be able to assist with the needs outlined in the Deputy’s question.

I trust this clarifies the matter.