Introduction
Under the Education, Training and Development Option you may continue to get
your Jobseeker’s
Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit
while attending certain courses of education, training or development. Your
Social Welfare Local Office may make special signing-on arrangements so that
you can attend your course.
Appeals
The Education, Training and Development Option is an administrative scheme.
This means you cannot appeal a decision to
refuse you this option to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Rules
To qualify for the Education, Training and Development Option and keep your
Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseekers Benefit you must be:
- At least 21 years of age or
- Between 18 and 20 and out of the formal education system for at least 2
years
And
Courses covered
Education, Training and Development Option courses are courses that are not
covered under the Back
to Education Allowance scheme. You must show that your course will improve
your chances of getting a job. Courses you may take part in include:
- Personal development courses
- General training courses
- Specific job skills
- Basic
education courses for example, literacy and numeracy classes.
The course must be approved by a facilitator.
You can arrange an appointment with a facilitator by contacting your Social
Welfare Local Office - see 'Where to apply' below.
Finding a course
To find out about available courses and get advice on how to get a place on
the course of your choice, you should contact your
local VEC, school or college, public library or Citizens
Information Centre.
Rates
You will continue to get your weekly Jobseeker’s Allowance or
Jobseeker’s Benefit at your usual rate and any other secondary benefits.
Secondary benefits may include:
Out-of-pocket expenses
If you are getting a social welfare payment you may get out-of-pocket
expenses of up to €32 per week. This is a payment towards the extra costs
you may have as a result of your course, for example, meals and travel. The
provision of out-of-pocket expenses is administrative. This means a decision to
refuse you out-of-pocket expenses cannot be appealed to the Social Welfare
Appeals Office.
This additional payment is not taken into account as means in the assessment
of Jobseeker’s Allowance, but it may affect the amount of Rent Supplement or
Mortgage Interest Supplement you are getting.
Signing for unemployment credits
If you have been signing on for unemployment credits, you will continue to
get credits for as long as you are participating in the Education, Training and
Development Option.