Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps he is taking to assist persons, who have recently been made unemployed, to re-enter third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12225/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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All places in higher education institutions for the academic year 2009/2010 are open to unemployed persons and information on all third level education options are being made available to local FÁS offices who provide referral services for unemployed persons under the National Employment Action Plan. Unemployed persons who qualify for the Department of Social and Family Affairs Back to Education Allowance may also qualify for a student maintenance grant under my Department's student support scheme.

Officials of my Department are working very closely with officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to ensure that appropriate responses are developed and put in place to meet the upskilling needs of those who are losing their jobs or facing uncertain employment prospects. In particular, opportunities for increased collaboration between FÁS, the Institutes of Technology and the VECs are being identified with a view to ensuring that the impact of the State's overall investment in education and training is maximised to support those who are being made unemployed. The Institutes of Technology are also working closely with FÁS to facilitate redundant apprentices in completing the education phases of their apprenticeship and in progressing to other higher education courses.

Colleges are taking steps to utilize all available capacity to address the needs of the unemployed, including the provision of preparatory courses for those who may be a long time out of the formal education system. From September 2009 provision will be expanded in course areas where employment opportunities are likely to develop and the scope for more flexible delivery of provision is being examined, including the possibility of alternate start dates, increased modularisation and accelerated programmes with a view to maximising the scope for unemployed persons to avail of third level education opportunities.