Vol. 505 No. 6
205 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the consideration, if any, he will give to extending financial support schemes to part-time courses to encourage more people to undertake this very important long-term investment. [14226/99]
The back to education programmes operated by my Department already take cognisance of the fact that many unemployed people wish to pursue part-time courses of education as an alternative to the more structured full-time courses. Unemployed people who wish to pursue part-time education courses will con tinue to receive their unemployment payment for the duration of the course. They must notify their local social welfare office in advance of commencing the course and they must satisfy the deciding officer that the course is not restricting their availability for work. I believe that part-time courses of education are adequately catered for under my Department's back to education programmes.
