department of social and family affairs annual report 2006 - Welfare.ie

Appendix 2: Summary of DSFA Budget Package 2007 (continued)
COST
First Year Full Year
6. Working Age (continued) m m
Back to Education Allowance
Reduce the qualifying period for Back to Education Allowance from 3 to 2
years in respect of Illness Benefit. [September 2007]
Extend immediate entitlement to Back to Education Allowance to persons
made redundant provided they have an entitlement to statutory redundancy
i.e. at least 2 years continuous service and are entitled to a social welfare payment.
[September 2007]
Back to Education Programmes
Extend entitlement to participation in the Education, Training & Development
(ET&D) option of the Back to Education Programmes and receive an Out of
Pocket Expenses payment of €32 per week to persons who are eligible for the
Back to Education Allowance [May 2007]
Jobseeker’s Benefit
Raise the redundancy threshold for disqualification to entitlement to
Jobseeker’s Benefit for up to 9 weeks by €30,954, from €19,046 to €50,000.
[February 2007]
Illness Benefit and Jobseeker’s Benefit
Enable a person who was in receipt of Illness Benefit/Jobseeker’s Benefit and
who subsequently was in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or Benefit, to return to
Illness Benefit / Jobseeker’s Benefit entitlement at the same rate as previously
(if more beneficial). [May 2007]
Enable a person who was in receipt of Illness Benefit for 2 years and who then
undertook employment of less than 26 weeks, to return to an Illness Benefit
entitlement at the same rate as previously (down from 5 years). [May 2007]
One Parent Family Payment
Reform the provision of credited contributions for recipients of One Parent
Family Payment who take time off following the birth of a child. [April 2007]
Deserted Wife’s Benefit
Increase the earnings related reduced rates of Deserted Wife’s Benefit
(1992-1996) to the maximum personal rate subject to a qualifying income
threshold of €20,000 and also introduce a transitional payment of half rate
Deserted Wife’s Benefit for 6 months where a recipient exceeds that income
threshold. [May 2007]
15.65 21.04
appendices
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