Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2012
347. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding social welfare recipients may access towards courses that are not provided to them for free but that will lead them to be better skilled and or qualified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46089/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy is referring to course fees in this question. My colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, is responsible for the administration of the student grant scheme which covers the cost of fees and maintenance grant.
This Department provides support to job seekers who are seeking to commence a course of education or training under a number of schemes. Under the technical employment support grant (TESG), training interventions funds can be provided for courses that lead to a qualification of up to and including FETAC level 6 or an equivalent qualification provided it is aligned to the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). To qualify, a job seeker must be in receipt of certain DSP payments and registered with my Department’s Employment Services. Up to €500 per job seeker can be made available where the required assessment has been undertaken.
The technical assistance and training scheme (TATS) is a discretionary fund which provides supports towards certain business start-up expenses for back to work enterprise allowance recipients who are engaging in self-employment projects and have received prior approval from a Department facilitator. This fund may also support courses of study relevant to their self-employment leading to an award up to and including FETAC level 6 or the equivalent award provided it is aligned to the NFQ. The job seeker must make a minimum contribution of 25% towards the total cost of any course of study. TATS funding cannot not be used to fund either full time or part time third level fees (course or registration) including PLC courses. Payments of up to €1,000 per job seeker are available.
The Activation and Family Support Programme (AFSP) provides for funding to enable the development of training and education initiatives, mainly in conjunction with other organisations and agencies, to assist people who are in receipt of social welfare payments to enhance their employability through education, training and personal development opportunities. Department Facilitators work with social welfare recipients and other agencies and service providers to identify the most appropriate courses for funding. Only courses up to level 6 on the NFQ are eligible for funding. AFSP funding cannot not be used to fund either full time or part time third level fees (course or registration) including PLC courses.
