Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider relaxing the rule that prevents an unemployed person on a FÁS course taking up a free springboard course, particularly as there may be an overlap between the time the FÁS course finishes and the springboard course begins, and the springboard course may involve a progression for the person concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26177/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To be eligible for a place on a Springboard course an applicant must have a previous history of employment, and at the time of starting a Springboard course must be unemployed and in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit or One Parent Family Payment or be signing for contribution credits. All applicants must be available for and actively seeking employment. In order to qualify for a place on a post-graduate course applicants must meet these requirements and also must have completed their undergraduate qualification at least three years before the date of commencement of the post-graduate course. It is open to people who have completed a FAS course to progress to a Springboard programme. People who do not fulfil the eligibility criteria for Springboard may also apply under the Department of Education and Skills Student Grant Scheme, for fee and maintenance cost support to pursue a higher education programme on a full-time basis. Full details regarding the Department's student grant schemes are available on www.studentfinance.ie.