131. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that the participants who enter the 12-month residential programme for men with addiction problems, and who are homeless, in Tallaght in Dublin 24 are mostly in receipt of a jobseeker's allowance, which is terminated after 14 weeks when they are entitled to a supplementary welfare allowance, and that they are then ineligible to go on to community employment schemes, SOLAS training courses, education courses and Tús programmes, in respect of which continuous entitlement to a jobseeker's allowance is required; if she will authorise the local office to extend the entitlement to a jobseeker's allowance for six months to facilitate participants returning to work and education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2279/16]

A person in receipt of a jobseeker's payment who is participating in a rehabilitation programme for an addiction, on a residential basis in a HSE approved treatment centre, may be permitted to retain their jobseeker’s payment for up to 14 weeks. These programmes support the customer in building their capacity to return to employment in the future.

Customers are advised, at the outset, that these arrangements are intended to cater for a short term stay only e.g. up to 14 weeks to facilitate them in their treatment.

Should a person remain in a residential treatment programme beyond 14 weeks they are advised to apply for a payment more suited to their circumstances, for example, Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

All schemes, employment programmes, training and education courses have particular qualifying conditions and a customer's eligibility for them is examined on an individual basis.