Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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452. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the options returning citizens from outside of the EU can avail of regarding upskilling and or further education. [44629/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There are many upskilling and further education options that Irish citizens returning from outside the EU can avail of.

Further education and training (FET) is open to all Irish citizens who want to learn new skills or enhance existing skills to get the right job, progress to third-level or to support the achievement of personal goals; though some programmes and courses may hold specific educational or vocational requirements for entry.

Delivered primarily by the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across the country, FET provision is available nationwide on a full, part-time or blended, basis including evenings, weekends and online, to suit the lives of learners of all ages and from all backgrounds. Courses are largely free or are heavily subsidised.

Provision includes an extensive range of training and upskilling options which span Levels 1-6 of the National Framework of Qualifications across the following occupational areas - Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary, arts and humanities, business and administration and law, education, engineering, manufacturing and construction, health and welfare, information and communication technology, natural sciences, mathematics and statistics, personal services, social sciences, journalism and information.

National initiatives include specific provision for learners in employment - Skills to Advance as well as opportunities for upskilling and reskilling for people affected by the Pandemic - Skills to Compete. Available courses can be viewed on the national FET platform, www.fetchcourses.ie.

I would recommend that citizens returning to Ireland from outside the EU contact their local Education and Training Board. Each ETB has a dedicated Adult Education Guidance Service that provides guidance to FET learners and potential learners before, during and after FET training. The service is confidential and free of charge and can advise individuals of programmes and supports that may be available to them as well as advise on the application process.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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453. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to barriers regarding further education options for returning citizens from outside of the EU (details supplied); if this cohort can avail of Springboard courses; and if any alternative routes exist for entry to these courses. [44630/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Springboard+ is a targeted initiative which is primarily 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.

In 2017 the eligibility criteria for participating in Springboard+ was expanded to include Returners wishing to return to the workplace and those currently in employment. In drawing up the eligibility criteria for participation by this cohort a decision was made to align the criteria with that of the Department’s Free Fees Initiative for third level education, i.e. a student must have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least 3 of the 5 years prior to entry to their third level course of study in order to qualify to participate in the programme. This rule applies to all individuals regardless of their citizenship.

All Returners and Employed people who wish to apply for a Springboard+ course must have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to the programme and meet other eligibility criteria. Under the terms of operation of the scheme the term ‘ordinarily resident’ has always meant, and been applied, as the residence at which the applicant normally resided, apart from vacation or short term absences in any given year.

Returning emigrants may be able to qualify for certain Springboard+ courses if they qualify for payments such as Jobseekers Benefit, One Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance or Carer’s Allowance. Eligibility for Springboard+ courses for those in receipt of payments operated by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) is the responsibility of that Department. In advance of commencing a Springboard+ course, a person is advised to contact the DSP to see if they are eligible to apply.