In order to qualify for jobseeker's allowance or jobseeker's benefit, a person must satisfy certain conditions which include being available for and looking for full-time work. As the person concerned is not available for full-time work while undertaking ‘devilling', she will not qualify for a jobseeker's payment.
The Labour Market Activation Fund, which was launched in March of this year, is used to generate training and educational places for categories of customers in receipt of a jobseeker's payment, in a range of organisations, including in the private sector, the not-for-profit sector and in public sector providers. The fund is targeted at specific "priority" groups among the unemployed, i.e., the low-skilled, and those formerly employed in declining sectors — construction, retail and manufacturing — with particular emphasis on the under 35s and the long-term unemployed.
Apprenticeship is the recognised means by which people are trained to become crafts people. The main craft trades have been designated by FÁS and come within the scope of the Statutory Apprenticeship system, which is organised by FÁS in co-operation with the Department of Education and Science, employers and unions. ‘Devilling' does not come within the remit of this programme.