Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
431. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the terms on which the €1,000 grant for short courses is being made available; and if there is a restriction on the type of courses, full-time or part- time to which it can be applied. [47531/21]
View answerThe Training Support Grant (TSG), available through my Department, is designed to support quick access to short-term training where the training is not delivered by a State provider. Short-term training is regarded as being for a period of less than one year. Support for longer duration training or courses of study provided by Solas, Education Training Boards or other agencies should be applied for under the Back to Education or Part-Time Education Option schemes.
The TSG can be provided where an immediate skills gap is identified that represents an obstacle to taking up a job offer or accessing other opportunities. The grant can be used for training up to level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications or training such as safe pass, driving licenses, HACCP or security industry permits as appropriate.
Under the 2020 July Stimulus, funding available through this grant was doubled from €500 to €1,000 and there is a provision of €11.3m for this support for 2021. This ensures that greater funding is available for individuals to assist with their short term training costs.
If the Deputy has a query in respect of an individual case, he should provide the details of the case to my Department for review.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
