Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

222. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which challenges arising in the course of the Covid-19 crisis have identified the need for specific educational response at third and fourth level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22975/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As part of the multi-billion euro July stimulus package announced recently, an additional €100m million will be allocated to further and higher education and training. These measures are aimed at helping people return to the workplace or education after they may have lost jobs and income due to Covid-19.

Some key measures in the education and training sector include:

- The Apprenticeship Recruitment Initiative which will provide a financial incentive for companies who recruit apprentices of up to €3,000

- 35,500 new places in further and higher education to help people reskill and, if necessary, change their careers

These 35,500 places include 19,000 full and part time places in the Skills to Compete programme, which is aimed at people who have lost their jobs during the pandemic. These people will be offered reskilling opportunities in sustainable areas of employment such as healthcare, childcare, ecommerce, software development and online sales.

My Department will continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19, and identify ways in which the further and higher education system can assist in overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic.