There are a number of schemes currently operated by my Department which allow unemployed persons to attend full-time education courses while continuing to receive an allowance equivalent to their unemployment payments. Generally speaking, to be eligible to participate in those schemes, an applicant must be long term unemployed and be at least 21 years of age for second-level courses and at least 23 years of age for participation in the third level allowance scheme. The question of whether or not the courses involved are subject to mature student funding is not taken into account when determining eligibility.