FÁS Training Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 May 2013

Tuesday, 7 May 2013

Questions (169)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

169. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 588 of 16 April 2013, the avenue available to a person who is unemployed or disabled and not in receipt of a social welfare payment to engage in a training course when they have been advised by their local FÁS office that they are not entitled to participate in any course because they are not in receipt of a social welfare payment; if FÁS must provide training courses to those who are disabled and not in receipt of a payment due to a spouse's income and where this training course would be beneficial to their rehabilitation and well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21212/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Ciarán Cannon)

People with disabilities are eligible to access FÁS mainstream services.

Persons who are unemployed but not in receipt of a social protection payment are generally eligible to take part in FÁS training courses. However, only those who were receiving a social protection payment prior to commencing training may be eligible to receive a FÁS training allowance while undertaking a course.

In addition FÁS continues to provide 2,110 specialist vocational training places for people with disabilities who do not avail of the mainstream options through Specialist Training Providers (STPs).