Mary Flaherty
Ceist:34 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give details of the pilot third level education opportunity scheme; and the levels of response to the new scheme.
Written Answers. - Third Level Education Opportunity Scheme.
The third level allowance scheme enables unemployed persons aged 23 years and over who are in receipt of the long term rate of unemployment assistance to participate in full-time third level education. While on the scheme, participants receive a weekly allowance equivalent to their rate of unemployment assistance. Participants may attend at any of the established third level institutions — universities, colleges of technology or regional technical colleges. Applications for the scheme are made through the Department's local office.
The scheme commenced at the start of the 1990-91 academic year and will operate on a pilot basis for two years. A total of 67 persons are participating in the scheme. Payment is made by cheque which is posted to their home address each week. This method of payment ensures that the attendance at lectures is not disrupted by a participant having to attend at the local office for payment.
The third level allowance scheme complements the vocational training opportunities scheme, the vocational preparation training programme and the second level initiatives for pursuing part-time and full-time education which I have introduced over the past few years. Together these initiatives make the pursuance of educational courses a real option for those unemployed who want to improve their educational qualifications.