57. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans within his Department to expand remote-work training and supports for jobseekers in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46202/26]

My Department is committed to supporting jobseekers in County Mayo, and nationwide, to obtain sustainable employment.

Through the Intreo Employment Services, Employment Personal Advisers and Job Coaches work with jobseekers on an individualised basis to assess job readiness and identify opportunities for employment or gaps in the jobseekers suitability for employment. Intreo provides a variety of supports which may include job matching to suitable employment opportunities, support with CV preparation or interview training, referrals to further education or training, and placement on employment support schemes where appropriate.

Intreo Employer relations officers work with employers to match jobseekers with employers, they host events to support this engagement. A company called Grow Remote attended a Work and Skills event in Ballina, Co Mayo on 2nd of March, which was aimed at Carers and persons in receipt of a disability payment. Grow Remote work to connect jobseekers with employers recruiting for remote working positions.

My Department works closely at a local level with Education & Training Boards to ensure jobseekers engaging with Intreo can access training that can develop skills suitable for jobseekers to aid labour market progression. Where a jobseeker requires training to support them to develop remote work skills a referral can be made to the Local Education and Training Board or to an appropriate e-college training course where they are available.

The Training Support Grant is available to jobseekers to fund short-term training and certification up to €1,000 per annum. The Grant allows Employment Personal Advisors/Job Coaches to identify and address skills and certification gaps among jobseekers that prevent them from taking up an offer of employment.