Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 November 2016
102. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports in place to support persons who have been approved onto a Springboard course as they currently do not qualify for a SUSI grant or cannot claim BTEA if not in receipt of social protection for nine months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33945/16]
View answerSpringboard provides free, flexible reskilling and upskilling opportunities at higher education level for unemployed and previously self-employed people in areas of emerging skills needs. Also included under the Springboard+ banner are ICT conversion courses.
To be eligible for a place on a Springboard course a person must be unemployed, actively seeking employment, and be in receipt of one of a range of qualifying Social Protection payments, or be signing for credits or be previously self-employed. Applicants for ICT skills conversion courses are not required to be unemployed or in receipt of any DSP payments to be eligible for the courses. The only requirements are that they already hold a relevant level 8 or equivalent qualification and are able to demonstrate the capacity and underlying aptitude to undergo an intensive programme of study and work experience to acquire honours degree level ICT programming skills. ICT Conversion Courses are available on a one year full time basis, or a two-year part time basis.
Participants on part-time Springboard courses who are in receipt of one of the eligible Department of Social Protection income support payments may be able to retain such payments under the Part Time Education Option (PTEO) payment. There is no requirement for participants to be in receipt of one of these payments for a particular period of time prior to the commencement of the part-time Springboard course, however, participation on a Springboard course does not confer any entitlement to receive an income support payment from the Department of Social Protection.
A person undertaking a full-time ICT Skills Conversion Course who is receipt of Jobseekers Benefit or Jobseekers Allowance for at least nine of the previous twelve months prior to commencing the course may qualify to retain their income support while participating in a full-time ICT skills conversion course. Eligible participants will transfer to a bespoke version of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).
Applicants in receipt of the Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit, Farm Assist, or those who are receiving benefits as Qualified Adults of Working Age, may participate on a two-year part-time ICT skills conversion course however they are not eligible for BTEA as they are not undertaking a full-time course of study. They will also not be able to retain their payment under the Part Time Education Option (PTEO) payment. Those in receipt of other payments such as the One Parent Family Allowance or the Disability Allowance, may be eligible to participate on the part-time programmes and retain their payment.
The BTEA and the PTEO are administered by the Department of Social Protection. Queries in relation to eligibility for the PTEO and the BTEA are dealt with by that Department.
Further details on Springboard+ courses and eligibility are available at www.springboardcourses.ie.
Courses under Springboard+ are not eligible for receipt of Student Grants as they do not meet the criteria for an approved course. Under the Student Grant Scheme, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration, pursued in an approved institution. Section 8 (1) (b) of the Student Support Act 2011, requires a student to attend a full-time course, in order to be considered for a grant under the Student Grant Scheme.
