Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of his acknowledgement that the former workers (details supplied) in receipt of the European globalisation funds will not be guaranteed the funding to finish the educational programmes which they began under this scheme, he will agree to meet with these workers to discuss their situation and options for future education and re-training. [12539/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The co-funding of relevant education and training measures through the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) in support of redundant S R Technics workers is strictly time limited to finish on 9 October 2011. This end date is determined at two years from the date of application in accordance with the regulations governing the operation of the fund, and cannot be extended. This position has always been made clear to both service providers and to beneficiaries of EGF support, including the former S R Technics staff in question.

Officials from my Department met a delegation of the former workers last month and discussed in detail both the position in relation to EGF funding and the full range of options and supports that are available to students generally, including former S R Technics staff, who wish to pursue education programmes in the publicly funded higher education system.

I have also written to a member of the delegation re-emphasising the position as outlined. The Department of Social Protection has already confirmed that if the students remain on the programme on a full-time basis beyond the EGF cut-off date that they will be entitled to retain their Back to Education Allowance. This would be a considerable advantage to the students in terms of providing income support while progressing in education.

It should also be noted that All Hallows College has been extremely helpful in running what was originally a part-time course on a fulltime basis under the EGF programme in order to accelerate students' progress on a modular basis and maximise the scope for them to benefit from the EU funding available.

It is open to the students to engage with All Hallows College to seek a reduced course fee for continuance of the course fulltime but at their own expense. Alternatively, the relevant students could potentially transfer to other fulltime courses in the public system which are part of the Free Fees Scheme without losing their Back to Education Allowance.

As the full facts of the situation have already been fully conveyed to the delegation by my officials, I do not propose to meet with these workers at this time.