Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
98. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the education and training bursary scheme for young people who have experienced care in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36696/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you Deputy Lahart for your question. This year DCEDIY and Tusla secured €750,000 in Dormant Accounts Funding for the continuation of educational supports for care experienced children and young people. This is the second year of a two year programme funded by Dormant Accounts. The purpose of the funding is to support and assist care experienced young people achieve their full potential in education.
DCEDIY, in collaboration with Tusla, have agreed an approach to delivering these supports which comprises three strands, one of which is the Education and Training Bursary Scheme for Care Experienced Young People, which I launched on 15th June.
Care experienced young people over 18 years of age, who are not receiving financial support for their education from any other State source, can apply for a bursary of up to €5,000.
Last year, the Bursary Scheme Committee approved 136 applications and just under €185,000 was awarded to young people to support their further education or training. Successful applications included the payment of fees for young people applying for new courses or training as well as those seeking to continue on an existing course or training.
Applications for financial support for the hardware, software or equipment necessary to participate in courses were also considered. Examples of such requests included tools to complete an apprenticeship, uniforms for courses or hardware such as laptops or printers.
Examples of the type of courses undertaken by the applicants included social care, beauty, nursing, hair dressing and legal and political studies.
The funding of courses and equipment for so many young people shows the success of this bursary scheme and I am very pleased that my Department and Tusla are able to provide it again in 2022.
The application process opened on 15th June and is accessible through the Tusla website.
Since 2017, Tusla have been delivering a range of aftercare services and supports, including an aftercare allowance to support young people as they progress in their education and training. They are also entitled to the payment of their fees through the SUSI grant.
However, I am aware that at times there may be courses that young people wish to pursue that are not covered by SUSI and at other times courses may have additional unexpected costs.
While there are very strong supports for formal 3rd level courses, this scheme is to address the need for supports for other, often shorter courses, which are part of the incremental steps for young people building their careers.
In such instances this bursary scheme will be of real practical benefit and will improve access to educational opportunities.
