Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021
453. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to barriers regarding further education options for returning citizens from outside of the EU (details supplied); if this cohort can avail of Springboard courses; and if any alternative routes exist for entry to these courses. [44630/21]
View answerSpringboard+ is a targeted initiative which is primarily used to provide funding for higher education courses aimed at meeting the need for in-demand skills in the economy and supporting jobseekers to return to employment.
In 2017 the eligibility criteria for participating in Springboard+ was expanded to include Returners wishing to return to the workplace and those currently in employment. In drawing up the eligibility criteria for participation by this cohort a decision was made to align the criteria with that of the Department’s Free Fees Initiative for third level education, i.e. a student must have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least 3 of the 5 years prior to entry to their third level course of study in order to qualify to participate in the programme. This rule applies to all individuals regardless of their citizenship.
All Returners and Employed people who wish to apply for a Springboard+ course must have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to the programme and meet other eligibility criteria. Under the terms of operation of the scheme the term ‘ordinarily resident’ has always meant, and been applied, as the residence at which the applicant normally resided, apart from vacation or short term absences in any given year.
Returning emigrants may be able to qualify for certain Springboard+ courses if they qualify for payments such as Jobseekers Benefit, One Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance or Carer’s Allowance. Eligibility for Springboard+ courses for those in receipt of payments operated by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) is the responsibility of that Department. In advance of commencing a Springboard+ course, a person is advised to contact the DSP to see if they are eligible to apply.
