Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 10: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way he expects the additional 3,500 third level places to come into effect in autumn 2009 in view of the fact that the Central Application Office's deadline for applications passed on 1 February 2009; his view on the CAOs suitability for targeting these additional places to the unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19252/09]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy's question specifically refers to the suitability of the CAO application process in allocating the 2,000 full time places and 1,500 part time places which are part of the overall package of 5,400 new higher education places for unemployed people announced in the Supplementary Budget.

In relation to the 2,000 full time places, over 73,000 applications have been received through the CAO to date this year which is an increase of 8.5% on last year. This includes over 12,000 applications from mature students, an increase of 30% on 2008. Applications from people that previously attended Higher Education have also increased by 13%. These figures are likely to reflect the fact that many people who have been made redundant have already taken the initiative and applied to return to education to up-skill. While the initial CAO closing date is 1 February, late applications are accepted up to 1 May and 5,945 such applications were received this year, an increase of 51% on 2008. On 2 July next the CAO will publish details of its Available Place courses where places are likely to be available following the first round of CAO offers in August. A further opportunity will be available for people to apply for places on such courses from 18 August 2009. Unemployed people who obtain a third level place can apply to the Department of Social and Family Affairs to participate in the Back to Education Allowance Scheme under which they retain eligibility for income support payments and a Cost of Education Allowance while undertaking their course of study.

Part time places in third level institutions are not filled through the CAO process. The 1,500 part time third level places announced in the Supplementary Budget will be provided to enable persons who are unemployed to pursue third level certificate or degree programmes on a part time basis from September 2009. Arrangements for the operation of this initiative are being finalised by officials of my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which is funding the cost of these new places. Access to these places will be on a direct entry basis. Further information on how to access these courses and clarification of participants entitlements in relation to social welfare payments will be made available as soon as these arrangements are finalised. Information on the courses will also be made available to unemployed people though local FAS and Department of Social Welfare Offices.