James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the question I was going to pose and more ably than I would have. I agree with everything he said. SOLAS works very closely with a wide range or organisations, bodies and Departments. There are people who fell on hard times during the recession and want to retrain but do not qualify for grant aid for a course because their spouses or partners are working. Can anything be done for such persons whose incomes are perhaps €5 or €6 above the threshold and cannot access a particular course? This is related more to the JobBridge programme. People are barred from participating in further education and the issue should be examined.