Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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795. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the correspondence (details supplied) regarding Springboard or Momentum courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20628/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Springboard is a specific initiative that strategically targets funding of free higher education courses to enable unemployed people to upskill or reskill in areas where there are real, identified labour market skills shortages or employment opportunities.

Decisions on proposals to be funded are made by an independent panel with industry and educational expertise having regard to published criteria and guidance from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs on current and future skills needs of enterprise.

The evaluation framework for Springboard provides for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of outputs. In June 2014 the first trend analysis evaluation of Springboard was published, presenting outcomes over a three-year period. A second trend analysis was published in December 2014, and a third is being prepared for publication in June 2015.

Overall, feedback on Springboard is very positive: a survey of all graduates 2011-2014 indicates that within two years of completing a Springboard course 60% are employed or self-employed, with progression to employment steadily increasing over time; a scan by the Department of Social Protection indicates that 74% of all Springboard participants 2011-2014 are no longer on the live register.

Momentum was reviewed by an external consultant and the report on the programme was published on the SOLAS web and on the Momentum website. The subsequent programme was enhanced following the recommendations from that report.

The report can be found at .