Education, Training and Development Option

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 

• Be getting Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit or signing on for unemployment credits for at least 6 months (156 days).

Courses covered

Education, Training and Development Option courses are those 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 (CIC).

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: 

• Fuel Allowance 
• Smokeless Fuel Allowance 
• Rent Supplement and Mortgage Interest Supplement. However, out of pocket expenses, may affect the amount of Rent Supplement or Mortgage Interest Supplement you are getting.

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.

How to apply

All applications for the Back to Education - Education, Training and Development Option should be made on form BTE1(pdf). You will be asked to provide information about your course, for example:

• The course timetable
• Written confirmation from the relevant organisation or school that you have registered for the course
• You may be asked for confirmation of on-going course attendance
• You are also required to notify the Department when you finish the course.

Where to apply

Apply for the Education, Training and Development Option at your Social Welfare Local Office.