Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will be pushing for greater supports for lone parents from rural areas to access educational opportunities, including online courses, access to child care, supports for travelling to the place of education and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25807/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Currently there are a range of supports available to learners, including lone parents, accessing educational opportunities.

Learners on SOLAS training programmes and the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme are paid a training allowance in lieu of their Department of Social Protection payment. They are also eligible for meal and travel allowances and for childcare support under the Childcare in Education and Training Scheme which is operated by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

Financial support is also available under my Department's Student Grant Scheme for learners attending PLC and higher education courses.

There are flexible further education and training programmes available to suit learners' needs including online options such as the SOLAS eCollege and part time options under the Back to Education Initiative. Many of the programmes available under the higher education Springboard+ initiative are available online enabling people to access them regardless of where they reside in the country.