Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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138. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will amend the qualifying criteria for individuals wishing to apply for Springboard courses in order that those who are in receipt of invalidity pensions are no longer excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10283/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Springboard+ 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.  

Unemployed people are eligible to participate on a part-time Springboard+ course provided they have a previous history of employment, are unemployed, are actively seeking employment, and are in receipt of one of the qualifying Department Social Protection (DSP) allowances or are signing for credits or were previously self-employed.  The Invalidity Pension is not one of the qualifying Social Protection allowances for participating on a Springboard+ course.

People in receipt of Invalidity Pension have two options in relation to Springboard courses:

1. If there is no work placement, they can apply for an exemption from Invalidity Pension section.

2. If there is a work placement, they can apply to transfer to Back To Education Allowance (BTEA) for the duration of the course and then revert to Invalidity Pension.

Invalidity Pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. A qualifying condition for Invalidity Pension is that the recipient must be regarded as being permanently incapable of work. However, 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.

Not all Springboard courses have a work placement element. If the person wants to do a Springboard course that does not involve a work placement, then s/he may apply for an exemption to continue receiving their Invalidity Pension. Please note these exemptions are a matter for DSP.

An exemption will not be granted if there is a work placement. If the person is applying for a course which includes a workplace element, they should apply for the Back to Education Allowance. They will receive the same amount of income support and will be able to revert to Invalidity Pension at the end if required. See relevant page on gov.ie for further information:

www.gov.ie/en/service/418e3f-back-to-education-allowance/

The Springboard+ initiative is an administrative scheme which is not underpinned by legislation. It is managed by the HEA on behalf of this Department You will appreciate that the terms and conditions that apply to Springboard+ are applicable to all students and there are no plans to amend the criteria.

I trust this clarifies the position.