Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2017
97. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the budget allocation for expenditure on Springboard in each of the years 2011 to 2017; the allocation made for 2018; the number of persons enrolled in such courses in each such year; and the projections for the period to 2020 in tabular form. [47586/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpringboard+ which incorporates the ICT skills conversion programme, is a specific initiative which provides free part-time and full-time courses aimed at addressing the current skills needs of employers and supporting jobseekers to return to employment.
Springboard+ courses are at Level 6 (Certificate) to Level 9 (Masters) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and are delivered in public and private higher education providers around the country. All Springboard+ courses are in areas of identified skills need.
To date over €144m has been allocated to Springboard+ providing for over 35,000 places. Courses have been delivered in areas such as, ICT, Manufacturing which includes the biopharma sector, Construction, Entrepreneurship, Cross-Enterprise Skills, the Hospitality Sector and International Financial Services. 90% of courses (with the exception of entrepreneurship-based courses) have a work placement.
Springboard+ is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf on my Department. An evaluation of Springboard+ 2011-2016 published by the HEA in 2016 showed that:
80% of Springboard+ participants 2011-2015 are no longer on the live register
- Employment rates 3-6 months after graduation have increased from 37% in 2011 to 61% in 2014.
- ICT Conversion Graduates has the highest employment rates 3-6 months after graduation at 73% in 2014.
The attached file contains:
- The budget allocation and the number of participants enrolled in Springboard+ for the years 2011 to 2016
- The budget allocation and the proposed number of places for Springboard+ 2017 and Springboard+ 2018, and
- The estimated budget allocation and proposed number of places for Springboard+ 2019 and Springboard+ 2020.
Springboard+
|
Year |
Funding by academic year |
Participant Numbers |
|
2011/12 |
€16,706,405 |
4,836 |
|
2012/13 |
€23,532,410 |
6,335 |
|
2013/14 |
€24,902,092 |
6,183 |
|
2014/15 |
€26,396,291 |
5,178 |
|
2015/16 |
€34,047,356 |
7,800 |
|
2016/17 |
€18,720,495 |
5,326 |
|
*2017/18 |
€27,438,000 |
6,471 |
|
*2018/19 |
€30,438,000 |
7,471 |
|
*2019/20 |
€30,438,000 |
7,471 |
|
2020/21 |
€30,438,000 |
7,471 |
*€27,438,00 has been allocated to Springboard+ 2017 providing for 6,471 places
*€30,438,000 has been allocated to Springboard+ 2018 providing for 7,471 places
Funding for 2018/19 to 2020/21 is dependent on budget allocations, and this may increase, with corresponding increase in places
