Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 80: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of unemployed persons who have received support to undertake certificate and degree-level programmes which was announced in the supplementary budget in April 2009; the number of young people under 25 years in this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24901/10]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of unemployed graduates who have received support to date to undertake part-time postgraduate diplomas or conversion programmes, which support was announced in the supplementary budget in April 2009; the number of young persons under 25 years in this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24902/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 81 together.

1,752 unemployed people were supported to embark on part-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses that support the goals of the 'Smart Economy' from September 2009.

A preliminary analysis by the HEA of information received to date from participating institutions shows that approximately 19% are 25 years of age or younger. The majority of students are male and aged between 26 and 40 with previous qualifications at NQF 6 or above. Some 50% of participants were previously employed in the engineering, manufacturing or construction sectors. Over 70% were between 6-12 months on the live register and 55% indicated that their motivation for undertaking the programme was to enhance their career prospects.