Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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268. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address and deal with the anomaly that appears to be emerging for hairdressers who have just come out of hairdressing college and are seeking employment; if it is the case that hairdressers are now taking persons from FÁS and they are then being paid by FÁS (details supplied). [46661/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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All unemployed individuals are entitled to apply for a Solas training course. However, their social welfare entitlement will determine their entitlement to a Solas Training Allowance. Owing to the number of unemployed individuals applying to participate in certain Solas training courses, some courses such as the Hairdressing course have a waiting list and people are invited to participate as soon as places become available.

The Solas Hairdressing Course is at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications and the Target Learner Profile specifies that "applicants must have achieved a FETAC Level 4 or its equivalent". Individuals who are participating in this Hairdressing course must also undertake work experience of four weeks as part of the course. The work experience element of the course is crucial to trainees as it provides an opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a real-life working environment. Solas are not aware of any particular issues arising with this work placement requirement.

The Deputy should also be aware that the Department of Social Protection provide for internships in various trades through its JobBridge programme and questions relating to this particular programme are a matter for that Department.