Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 November 2023
139. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what funding can be applied for by a former worker of a company (details supplied) aged over 50 years who wishes to re-enter third-level education and retrain in a different career following their redundancy after 30 years-plus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48872/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main support available to students in higher education is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme which provides fee and maintenance grants to all students who meet the qualifying criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression. Progression for a student starting a new course means that in order to be eligible for grant assistance, they must be progressing to a higher level than any previous course attended.
Further information in relation to student grant assistance and income eligibility is available from SUSI’s website, www.susi.ie.
As part of the tertiary education package for Budget 2024, effective from September 2024, a part-time fee grant scheme will provide support for eligible students who are undertaking specified undergraduate part-time programmes leading to a major award, both in-person, blended and online.
A new range of tertiary courses also announced this year may provide additional flexibility for students to start their courses in a Further Education setting nearer to their location before moving to a Higher Education Setting. These courses are also eligible for student grant support.
The Further Education and Training (FET) sector also provides a range of courses available nationwide on both a full and part-time basis including evenings and weekends. FET training courses provided in ETB training centres are generally free and Budget 2024 provided for the removal of Post Leaving Certificate fees across the ETB sector, with effect from September 2024. This will ensure a consistency of support for learners across the country and remove financial barriers to participation. Learners attending PLC courses can apply for SUSI maintenance grants while learners on other FET training courses can qualify for a training allowance for the duration of the course if they were previously in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment.
Potential learners can also avail of the Adult Educational Guidance Service. This is a free and confidential service, which offers impartial adult education information to help people make informed educational, career and life choices.
Springboard+ also provides free higher education courses if you are unemployed and looking to return to work. Applications for courses can also be made if an individual is working with a contribution to the cost of the fee being made. Most courses are delivered online or as blended learning. Full details on Springboard+ , the eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found on the website: www.springboardcourses.ie.
