Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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152. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry is eligible for a training support grant to secure a heavy goods vehicle licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51395/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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While participants of JobPath do not have access to the Training Support Grant (TSG) provided by the Department, the JobPath companies will on a case by case basis provide similar funding. JobPath providers have their own discretionary funds available to pay for training or other interventions; the decision to approve or reject any request for funding is solely at the discretion of the JobPath provider.  

They will take into account the duration, cost and relevance to the customer’s job goal preferences. The prevalence of employment opportunities in the sector will also be considered along with the likelihood that the customer secures full-time employment upon completion of the course.

Several courses are provided in-house while others are provided by specialist training providers including the Education and Training Boards (ETBs). There are no barriers to any participant pursuing training, including further education and training courses, providing they are relevant to the agreed personal progression plan.

I can confirm that the person concerned is currently engaged with the JobPath Service and has been since 14/07/2021. My officials have made contact with Turas Nua who state that the customer was advised of Turas Nua’s policy regarding access to discretionary funding but that no request has been made to date.

The customer’s Personal Advisor confirmed that he is due to complete the Category C Truck Driver Theory Test on 19/10/2021 but Turas Nua have not been notified of any offer of full-time employment made to the customer pending his receipt of a full Category C driver’s licence. The notes on file

state that he hopes to commence the HGV Driving course in January 2022.