Introduction
Under the Education, Training and Development Option you may continue to get
your Jobseeker’s
Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit
while attending certain short education, training or development. Your Intreo
centre may make special signing-on arrangements so that you can attend your
chosen course.
Appeals
The Education, Training and Development Option is an administrative scheme.
This means you cannot appeal a refusal to
the Social Welfare
Appeals Office. However you can seek a review of a decision. This will be
made by an officer of the Department of Social Protection not involved in the
decision being reviewed or by a more senior officer. The review will look at
whether the guidelines were applied correctly and that the correct processes
were followed.
Rules
To qualify for the Education, Training and Development Option and keep your
Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker's 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
The Education, Training and Development Option allows you to attend short
courses , typically no longer than 10 weeks. For example, courses may be
one-day courses, half-day courses for a number of weeks or evening courses. You
must be able to show that the course chosen will improve your chances of
getting a job. Courses you can take part in include:
- Personal development courses
- General training courses
- Specific job skills courses
- Evening courses
The course must be approved by a case officer and should form part of your
DSP Personal Progression Plan. You can arrange an appointment with a case
officer by contacting your Intreo centre- 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 ETB, school or
college, public library or Citizens Information
Service.
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:
Signing for unemployment credits
If you have been signing on for unemployment credits, you will continue to
get credits while you are participating in the Education, Training and
Development Option.