Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale behind the exclusion of persons in receipt of the disability allowance from labour activation and further education programmes such as Springboard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1655/12]

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

The Springboard initiative which was introduced in 2011 was not a general education measure. It was a specific initiative to provide part time reskilling opportunites to enable unemployed people who had lost jobs in sectors where employment levels will not return , to reskill while actively seeking employment. It was not targeted at school leavers or new graduates who have never been in employment or at those who may have lost their job as a result of an illness or disability and who may be able to return to work in their chosen profession when their illness or disability has ended. Disability Allowance was not included as an eligible payment for access to Springboard as it is paid in recognition of the fact that a person may not be available to take up employment due to illness or disability. It was open to any person with a disability who met the eligibility criteria to apply for a place on a Springboard programme and providers were also reminded of their obligations to ensure that appropriate facilities were in place to support the participation of people with disabilities. The eligibility criteria for access to the new round of Springboard programmes provided for in the 2012 Budget will be informed by the findings of the evaluation of the first phase of the initiative which is almost finalised.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 103: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide short-term training courses in the hospitality area especially in preparation for bar work and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1684/12]

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

It is not in the current remit of FÁS to provide courses in the hospitality area such as Bar work. Such training provision is under the remit of Fáilte Ireland.

However, companies who have a specific need to access bar work training can contact Skillnets (www.skillnets.com) who fund enterprise-led training through a network model, where companies from networks representing specific industry sectors or geographical regions co-operate to deliver training programmes appropriate to current market requirements.