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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 5

Written Answers. - Education Opportunities for the Unemployed.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

48 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will extend the educational opportunities for the unemployed to cover postgraduate courses in view of the fact that such courses are now covered by mature student funding.

There are a number of schemes currently operated by my Department which allow unemployed persons to attend full-time education courses while continuing to receive an allowance equivalent to their unemployment payments. Generally speaking, to be eligible to participate in those schemes, an applicant must be long term unemployed and be at least 21 years of age for second-level courses and at least 23 years of age for participation in the third level allowance scheme. The question of whether or not the courses involved are subject to mature student funding is not taken into account when determining eligibility.

Courses of post graduate studies are not covered at present under the third level allowance scheme operated by my Department. However, in consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Education, I will be considering the inclusion of such courses in the context of the commitment in theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress to extend the range of options available to the long term unemployed, among other groups, with a view to their return to the workforce.
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