Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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305. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of the provision of 100 additional springboard courses. [31285/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, 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. Springboard+ supports jobseekers to return to employment and those in employment to upskill or reskill.

Springboard+ is funded through the National Training Fund, €34.4m has been allocated to Springboard+ 2019 providing for 9,151 places on 275 courses.

The cost of providing 100 additional Springboard+ places would depend on the NFQ level and the skills area of the course. The most recent costings available are in relation to Springboard+ 2017 which are attached.