Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
289. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available for training for those not in receipt of either jobseeker's benefit or allowance and are only signing on with reference to maintaining credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4276/13]
View answerDespite reducing resources, my Department will fund up to 430,000 education and training places across the range of provision in the higher education, further education and training sectors in 2013. Owing to the number of long-term unemployed and the need to keep these individuals close to the labour market, places have been prioritised on certain programmes specifically for those who have been unemployed for 12 months or more. This investment includes the provision of a substantial number of training places under FAS Training Services. Individuals not in receipt of either jobseeker's benefit or allowance are entitled to apply for training places with FAS Training Services but they may not be entitled to a FAS Training Allowance. In addition, individuals not in receipt of either jobseeker's benefit or allowance are also eligible to apply for a training place under the Skillnets Training Programme but places have been prioritised for the long term unemployed.
