Written answers
Tuesday, 28 November 2023
Department of Education and Skills
Cost of Living Issues
Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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670. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 349 of 21 November 2023, if a response will issue to the point referenced by that Minister. [52326/23]
Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I have asked my officials to contact the relevant Education and Training Board that funds the National Learning Network in question in relation to the individual's case and I will respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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671. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 349 of 21 November 2023 (details supplied), to confirm that those attending the National Learning Network whose previous social protection payments like disability allowance and fuel allowance are now paid by the training provider, will receive the budget 2024 once-off cost-of-living payments being paid to those in receipt of disability allowance and fuel allowance; the number of recipients there are; if he is aware of the difficulties last year in making these payments; what action he has taken to address this matter; if he will ensure there is no disincentive to taking up training and educational opportunities for those with disabilities where they miss out on once-off payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52371/23]
Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that all people in receipt of ETB training allowances who were previously in receipt of a Disability Allowance payment, will receive the €400 Cost-of-Living lump sum and the other cost of living lump sum payments as appropriate. My officials have requested SOLAS and the Education Shared Business Service at the Department of Education (ESBS) to put the necessary arrangements in place to ensure the payment is made to those eligible learners who are on Training courses as soon as possible. The aim is to pay the €400 cost-of-living payment and €300 fuel lump sum payment at the end of this week. In terms of the number of recipients involved, my officials are engaging with SOLAS to obtain this number and this will be forwarded to the Deputy at the earliest opportunity.
In relation to the Cost-of-Living measures for recipients in receipt of a disability allowance and fuel allowance first announced in Budget 2023, following clarification from the Department of Social Protection that former Disability Allowance recipients should receive the previous lump sum payments, the necessary arrangements were put in place to ensure that these payments were made at the earliest opportunity.
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