Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2015
32. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to reverse the cuts experienced by recipients of illness benefit and invalidity pension in respect of training allowances; her views on whether these cuts are unjust, especially for persons in rural Ireland who cannot avail of public transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40985/15]
View answerI would point out that recipients of illness benefit and invalidity pension retain full entitlement to their social welfare payments when they commence a training course with SOLAS.
From 1 January 2014, SOLAS has not paid a general training allowance to new participants on training courses as concurrent payments of social welfare payments and training allowances ceased on that date. However, depending on the course, other specific allowances in respect of travel, accommodation and meals may be payable to participants by SOLAS.
