SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 April 2017

Wednesday, 12 April 2017

Questions (136)

Carol Nolan

Question:

136. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of restoring the cuts to the SOLAS training allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18459/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The training allowance, funded by my Department through SOLAS, paid to participants on Further Education and Training (FET) courses, is based on Department of Social Protection payment rates. In the case of participants on FET courses aged under 26 their Social Protection rate was maxed up to €160 per week. 

The increase to €193 per week for jobseekers aged under 26, announced in Budget 2017, will be paid from September 2017 to all eligible participants on Further Education and Training courses in line with the Department of Social Protection Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) payment.

Participants' means are taken into account in deciding the level of payment to those in receipt of  BTEA and this will also apply to participants on FET courses.

The estimated cost of implementing this increase in the allowance to FET participants will be just over €4 million.