Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 43: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of training places being provided by him prior to the announcement of the jobs initiative of 10 May and the number of training places that will be provided by him following the announcement. [12194/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Prior to the announcement of the Jobs Initiative the Department of Education and Skills was funding in 2011 the provision of 108,500 Training places for the unemployed, 168,000 Further Education places and 156,000 Higher Education places.

The recent Jobs Initiative contains details of over 20,000 additional training, education and work experience places for the unemployed. The majority of the places (15,900) will be delivered through the Department of Education and Skills through the following programmes. 6,000 places on FÁS Specific Skills Training Courses (FAS) 3,000 places on the Back to Education Initiative (FE) 1,000 places on Post Leaving Certificate Courses (FE) 5,900 places on the Springboard Initiative (HE). A new Internship Programme will be developed by the Department of Social Protection for up to 5,000 interns.

The additional places announced in the Jobs Initiative bring total Training places available for the unemployed this year to 114,500. It also brings places which the unemployed may access in the Further Education sector to 172,000 and in the Higher Education sector to 161,900.

Internship Programme (DSP) 5,000

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 44: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the 15,900 training places announced under the jobs initiative of the 10 May 2011 are in addition to the 7,500 places under the work placement programme, the 5,000 places under the skills development and internship programme, the 1,000 places under the redundant apprentice placement scheme and the 700 places in the institutes of technology for redundant apprentices and crafts persons announced by the former Minister in December 2010. [12195/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The recent Jobs Initiative contains details of over 20,000 additional training, education and work experience places for the unemployed. The majority of the places (15,900) will be delivered through the Department of Education and Skills through the following programmes. 6,000 places on FÁS Specific Skills Training Courses (FAS) 3,000 places on the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) 1,000 places on Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLC) 5,900 places on the Springboard Initiative (HE).

These 15,900 places are in addition to the 7,500 places under the Work Placement Programme, the 1,000 places under the redundant apprentice placement scheme and the 700 places in the Institutes of Technology for redundant apprentices and crafts persons announced in December 2010.

The Internship Programme announced in the Jobs Initiative will replace the Skills Development and Internship Programme which was announced in December 2010.

The Work Placement Programme and the Internship Programme are now under the remit of the Department of Social Protection.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 45: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide further details of the higher education springboard programme announced as part of the jobs initiative. [12196/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 46: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the €20 million multi-annual higher education labour market fund announced by the former Minister in December 2010 is still in operation. [12197/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.

Springboard is the new higher education Fund which is being rolled out for the first time in 2011. The intention to establish a new higher education labour market Fund was announced in December 2010, with proposed funding of €5m in 2011. On the basis of recommendations from an independent expert selection panel received in April 2011, the Government decided as part of the Jobs Initiative to support the delivery of a further 2,400 part-time places through Springboard which will now deliver 5,900 part-time higher education places with total funding of €7.8m in 2011. These places will be on courses in areas of current and future skills needs as identified by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. Programmes will be available at all higher education levels from certificate to masters degree level (levels 6-9 on NQF) enabling unemployed people with differing levels of qualifications, including Leaving Certificate, PLC or degree level qualifications to participate. Full details of the Springboard programmes will be published on 25 May 2011.