Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Apr 1990

Vol. 397 No. 9

Written Answers. - Educational Facilities for Unemployed.

John Bruton

Ceist:

189 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare if there are any approved centres in County Meath at which long term unemployed persons can attend full-time secondary education while continuing to qualify for unemployment assistance; if not, the reason; and if he will indicate if existing schools will qualify for approval to take unemployed persons into normal classes.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The Social Welfare (Availability for Employment) Regulations, 1989, enable certain unemployment assistance applicants to engage in a full-time second-level course of education and at the same time be deemed to satisfy the statutory condition of being available for work. Claimants availing of the new arrangements continue to receive unemployment assistance.

Those eligible to avail of the new arrangements are persons aged 21 years and over who are in receipt of unemployment assistance at the long term rate. They must notify their local office in advance. The scheme is confined to second level education at an approved centre leading to a recognised certificate such as the leaving certificate.

An approved centre is any recognised educational establishment which offers courses at second level leading to a recognised certificate. Accordingly, my Department would approve any suitable application to attend an existing school in County Meath which offers courses leading to a recognised certificate. In addition to these arrangements, the vocational training opportunities scheme affords unemployed persons over age 21 who are in receipt of unemployment assistance the opportunity of participating in a full-time course of second-level education. Participants on this scheme receive an allowance equivalent to the rate of unemployment assistance payable prior to participation. The scheme, which is currently operating in twelve VEC centres throughout the country, does not include a centre in County Meath. Any extension of the scheme is a matter for determination by the Department of Education.