Driving Tuition Grant

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1. Purpose

This scheme is designed to fund quick access to short term training or related interventions, obtain/renew certification/permits for individual jobseekers that have identified work opportunities or where Case Officers have identified an immediate skills gap that represents an obstacle to taking up a job offer or accessing other activation interventions.

The scheme is not intended as a direct replacement for the Technical Employment Support Grant (TESG) nor is it designed to substitute training and activation measures that are provided under other programmes and agencies (Solas/Education Training Boards) or actions that are funded as part of other programmes.

2. Funding

A maximum amount of €500 per annum may be made available within a 12 month period for each Jobseeker, where appropriate. This is the overall total for each jobseeker, regardless of the number of courses sought/required.

The maximum contribution that can be approved and paid for essential driver training is €250.

Driving tuition for HGV/Rigid/Bus should be considered as a separate intervention within these guidelines. Driving tuition should only be funded when there is clear evidence of potential employment.

3. Eligible Payments

The primary focus of this scheme is on jobseekers and on supporting the activation policy of the Department.

Primary Eligible Payments

Jobseeker’s Allowance and Jobseekers Transition (incl. Casuals)
Jobseeker’s Benefit (incl. Casuals)
Other Eligible Payments/Schemes

One Parent Family Payment
Signing for credits
Blind Pension

Deserted Wife’s Benefit (DWB)
Farm/Fish Assist (FA)
Disability Allowance
Widows/Widowers Contributory or Non-Contributory Pension
Illness Benefit for 6 months or more
Qualified Adults of Jobseekers payment, who are job seeking.
Case officers may also support jobseekers who are participating on one of the Department’s funded work placement programmes – as set out below – or where a person on another DEASP payment, not listed above other than State pension, have an identified work/activation opportunity.