Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I thank both Deputies for raising this matter.

The requirements in applying for and implementing approved applications for EGF co-financed programmes are prescribed by EU law. EGF supported programmes are of finite duration. Currently, they are required to be completed no later than 24 months from the date of submission of the relevant EGF application. The binding timeframes are specified in the relevant European Commission decision addressed to the member state in approving its application. Under the terms of the European Commission decision relating to the EGF application in support of redundant SR Technics workers, EGF co-funding can be used for measures delivered from the commencement of service provision on 25 March 2009 until 9 October 2011 at the latest. When the Irish authorities raised the issue of the extension of the current EGF implementation period, this position was reconfirmed by the Commission.

It was always made clear to the redundant SR Technics workers, including at a number of EGF specific public meetings to showcase the funded supports, and the various service providers that only supports provided within that timeframe would be funded. That the Department made the expiry date of 9 October 2011 clearly known in advance was acknowledged by a delegation of the former SR Technics workers attending the course at All Hallows College when they met departmental officials last month on this matter. Moreover, All Hallows College was informed in writing by the Higher Education Authority of the expiry date for EGF funding of their course of 9 October 2011 at the latest. In turn, the college has submitted a number of claim forms to the authority for funding under the EGF, clearly indicating that the completion date of the course in question is 30 September 2011. It is, therefore, not clear how students could have begun this course at the college earlier this year in the expectation that the EGF would co-finance study beyond 9 October 2011.

It should be noted that All Hallows College has been extremely helpful in running what was originally a part-time course on a full-time basis under the EGF programme. This was done in order to accelerate students' progress on a modular basis and maximise the scope for them to benefit from the EU funding available.

In addition to a number of past meetings, briefings and communications with members of the delegation of former workers studying at All Hallows College over the course of EGF programme, officials from my Department met the delegation last month. They discussed in detail both the position on EGF funding and the full range of options and supports available to students generally who wish to pursue education programmes in the publicly funded higher education system. I have also recently written to an individual member of the delegation re-emphasising the position as outlined.

The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that if the students remain on the programme on a full-time basis beyond the EGF cut-off date, they will be entitled to retain their back to education allowance. This would be a considerable advantage to the students providing income support while progressing their education.

An option open to the students would be to engage with All Hallows College to seek a reduced course fee for continuation of the course full-time but at their own expense. Alternatively, the relevant students could apply to participate in other full-time courses in the public system that are part of the free fees scheme without losing their back to education allowance. These are matters of individual choice for the relevant students, not for the Department.

In terms of supports being offered outside the EGF programme, the particular education course in question is not part of the Department's free fees scheme which funds full-time higher education course fees for first-time students progressing on the National Framework of Qualifications. All Hallows College, a privately funded institution, had applied to the Department for access to the free fees scheme for this programme in 2010. However, the application was turned down having regard to the fact that the programme was not generally available through the CAO and because of the overall constraints on funding. Further, in line with the recommendations of the new strategy for higher education, the policy of the Department is to provide for no further extension of free fees funding to specific courses in private institutions such as All Hallows College. Additional funding is not available elsewhere in the Department's Vote to fund this course for this cohort of students. To do so outside normal requirements and rules would set an unsustainable precedent in terms of other EGF programmes and in terms of access to education programmes generally. I again thank the Deputies for raising this matter.

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