Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The real problem is progression for people who may have had level eight qualifications in, for example, architecture or quantity surveying. There are no longer jobs in these areas and they are going back to education to change career. As the courses they are now pursuing are level six or seven, they do not qualify for support even though they may currently be receiving an equivalent amount through the jobseekers' allowance. I ask the Minister of State to raise the issue with the Minister for Social Protection. Changing the regulations will not cost the State anything because the money can simply be transferred from one payment to the other. If these individuals are not given the opportunity to change career they will be left aside. Unfortunately, they may have to go elsewhere to find employment in the future.

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