Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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270. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why a person in receipt of payment under the invalidity pension scheme is not eligible to apply for a Springboard course; his plans to alter this eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21035/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Springboard+ which incorporates the ICT skills conversion programme, is a targeted initiative which is used to provide funding for higher education courses aimed at meeting the need for in-demand skills in the economy and supporting jobseekers to return to employment.

To be eligible for a place on a part-time Springboard course a person must have a previous history of employment, be unemployed, actively seeking employment, and be in receipt of one of the qualifying Social Protection allowances as listed on www.springboardcourses.ie or be signing for credits or be previously self employed.

The invalidity pension is a payment made to people who are permanently incapable of work because of an illness or incapacity. One of the conditions for participating on a Springboard course is that participants must continue to remain available for and be actively seeking employment. As a person on an invalidity benefit is considered to be incapable of work they would not meet this criterion.

The two-year part-time ICT skills conversion programme is open to all individuals, regardless of their social protection status, who already hold a level 8 or equivalent qualification and have the capacity and underlying aptitude, to undergo an intensive programme of study to acquire honours degree level ICT programming skills.

I understand that exemptions may be granted for invalidity pension recipients to undertake certain courses of study provided the course does not involve an in-work element and provided there is no payment being received on foot of participating on the course, accordingly it may be open for someone in receipt of an invalidity pension to apply for a place on a part-time ICT skills conversion course under Springboard+ 2016. Full details regarding all part-time ICT skills conversion courses which will be delivered under Springboard+ 2016, including entry requirements are available on www.springboardcourses.ie. Decisions around the award of places on a part-time ICT conversion course are a matter for individual course providers.

Queries in relation to exemptions for invalidity pension recipients who wish to pursue a course of study are dealt with by the Department of Social Protection.