THERE was welcome news for 32 trainees at the National Learning Network (NLN) centre in Portlaoise last week when it was announced that the planned 37% cut in their rehabilitative training bonus allowance had been put on hold.
Three weeks ago, the Laois Nationalist revealed that the trainees had been given just two days’ notice of the cuts following their return to the centre after the Christmas holidays.
The centre had received a memo from the HSE indicating the allowance would be cut from €31.80 a week to €20 a week from January.
The parent group of NLN, Rehab, described the cut as “unfair and unacceptable”, saying “it targeted people with a disability, reducing the training allowance by 37% with only two days’ notice.” It called on the HSE and the minister of state for disability Kathleen Lynch to review the decision and restore the allowance in full.
Rehab, which administers the allowance on behalf of the HSE, also said it would continue to give all those on its training courses the fulltime rate of €31.80 a week for the month of January to give them time to make plans for the decrease.
The HSE, however, has now said the allowance will continue to be paid in full “pending a comprehensive review of the service”.
The HSE says that the review of the cut has been requested by Ms Lynch and anyone affected by the reduction, which came into place on 1 January, would be reimbursed.
Welcoming the decision, CEO of Rehab Angela Kerins said that Rehab could “reassure those affected that they will continue to receive their full payment until the review is complete”.