Education Supports

Education Supports

Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)

The BTEA scheme which encompasses the Back to Education Allowance, Part-Time Education Options and Education, Training and Development Options, is a second chance education scheme for persons in receipt of certain qualifying social welfare payments. Under the programme, income support is provided to allow participants undertake courses at further and higher education level to improve their education, subject to meeting qualifying conditions.

Post Leaving Certificate Programme (PLC)

The Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme provides an integrated general education, vocational training and work experience programme for young people who have completed their Leaving Certificate, adults returning to education and the unemployed who are seeking to upskill to enhance their prospects of gaining employment. Its purpose is to enhance their prospects of gaining employment or progressing to further or higher education. Maintenance grant assistance is available under the Student Grant Scheme to eligible students pursuing an approved PLC course in an approved PLC centre. Post Leaving Certificate courses are full-time one-year programmes of integrated education, training and work experience provided in schools and colleges outside the third level sector. Applicants should contact their local Education and Training Board (ETB), offering PLC courses.

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Adult Educational Guidance Service (AEGS)

Information and guidance on FET options is available in each Education and Training Board (ETB), through their dedicated Adult Education Guidance Service. This confidential service is free of charge, open to all and provides guidance to learners and potential learners before, during and after their training. Guidance is also provided to apprentices and trainees through the training centre network, and to participants of Youthreach and Community Training Centre programmes through the Guidance, Counselling and Psychological Service and the Advocacy Service. Anyone interested in participating in a FET programme should contact the Adult Education Guidance Service in their local ETB for details of FET options and supports that may be available to them.

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)

VTOS is a second chance education initiative designed specifically for the unemployed. It is operated by 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs). To be eligible to participate on a VTOS you must be:

• Aged 21 or over and

• In receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit / Jobseeker’s Allowance, Illness Benefit (subject to the approval of the Department), One-Parent Family Payment, Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance for 6 months.

• Signing for PRSI ‘Credits’ for at least 6 months.

• A dependent spouse / civil partner / cohabitant of an eligible person.

• In receipt of Carer’s Allowance having ceased caring responsibilities.

• A person who received statutory redundancy but who has not been in receipt of a qualifying payment for the required period.

Time spent on an approved training course or CE (Community Employment) scheme can count towards the six-month qualifying period.

Periods spent on Job Initiative, Youthreach programmes or time spent in prison can count towards this six-month qualifying period, but a person must be getting one of the relevant Social Welfare payments before starting the programme.

Persons in receipt of the following categories of payments are also eligible to join, provided they are at least 21 years of age and have not been engaged in paid work for at least six months:

• One-Parent Family Payment.

• Blind Person’s Pension.

• Deserted Wife’s Allowance / Benefit.

• Widow / Widower’s Contributory / Non-Contributory Pension

• Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance.

Programmes offered under VTOS are education-led, vocationally-oriented and progression-focused. The programmes give participants the opportunity of:

• raising their education levels

• gaining certification with the National Framework of Qualifications

• developing knowledge and skills relevant to the workplace, and

• progressing to employment or to further education or training leading to employment.

The range of learning opportunities provided by VTOS centres include:

• Junior Certificate

• Leaving Certificate

• Courses leading to QQI (formerly FETAC) and equivalent awards at Levels 3 to 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications

A variety of subject areas are offered at levels 3 and 4 on the NFQ. Vocational designations covered in the QQI awards are chosen from a wide range of designations, including recent technologies, commerce, media, engineering, administration, theatre, arts & craft, and design.

Payment - Persons in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit receive a weekly training allowance equivalent to the maximum personal rate of the Jobseeker's Benefit. Any means which have been assessed are disregarded. Also, increases in respect of qualified adult and child dependents continue to be paid while there is an underlying entitlement to such increases on Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit.

Generally, Participants’ entitlement to a VTOS training allowance will not be reassessed if there is a change to circumstances (including means).

Work - If Participants are returning to their course for a second year, they will continue to get their VTOS allowance during the summer months. They can also take up full-time work during the summer months and their VTOS payment is not affected.

Dependants - If Participants want a dependant adult or child added to their payment, they must notify the Department of Social Protection (DSP). DSP will then notify the ETB of any changes to their VTOS - training allowance.

Other Social Welfare Payments - If Participants are getting one of the other eligible Social Welfare payments, they will continue to get their payment in the normal way. They must continue to meet

the conditions of their payment. If they are on a reduced means-tested payment it will be increased to the maximum amount for their situation while they are participating on VTOS. They will also continue to get their Social Welfare secondary benefits.

To apply, contact the local Education and Training Board (ETB). VTOS courses usually begin in September / October,but it may be possible to start at other times.

Back to Education Initiative (BTEI)

The Back to Education Initiative provides for an expansion of flexible part-time options across Further Education. Its priority is to increase the participation of young people and adults, with less than upper second level education, in a range of part-time accredited learning opportunities leading to awards on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), to facilitate their access, transfer and progression to other education or employment pathways. It offers Post Leaving Certificate, VTOS and Youthreach programmes on a part-time basis. Courses are free for any adult with a less than upper second level education.

Courses offered can include subjects in the Junior or Leaving Certificate and a wide range of modules such as Communications, Personal Development, Business, Computing, Childcare, Arts and Craft, Tourism, Catering, Sport and Leisure etc. For information contact the Adult Education Officer, Community Education Facilitator or Adult Guidance Information Officer at the local Education and Training Board (ETB).

If Participants are getting a Social Welfare payment, they may keep their payment and participate in BTEI, if they continue to satisfy the conditions attached to their payment. If they are getting a jobseeker's payment they will need to apply for the Part-Time Education Option.

Adult Literacy

The Adult Literacy scheme is delivered by local Education and Training Boards (ETB) nationwide. It focuses on those with low levels of literacy skills and includes English language tuition for adult migrants and basic education services. Adult literacy, in addition to reading and writing, now extends to such basic education as numeracy, social and personal development, learning to learn and digital skills.

Community Education

Community Education refers to education and learning, generally outside the formal education sector, with the aims of enhancing learning, empowerment and contributing to civic society. It is firmly community-based, with local groups taking responsibility for, and playing a key role in, organising courses and deciding on programme-content.

Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)

The Department of Social Protection administers the Back to Education Allowance. This scheme allows Participants to keep your Social Welfare payment and return to approved full-time courses at further and higher education levels.

The approved full time education course must lead to a higher qualification on the National Framework Qualifications (NFQ) other than that already held.

Assessment of Income from part-time Employment - BTEA participants who take up work during the academic year will be assessed under the rules (including means assessment) that apply to their primary payment – the payment they qualified for BTEA from. Here is an example:

John is a single person, aged 26, currently on the BTEA, having previously been on Jobseeker’s Allowance of €232. His rate of payment on BTEA is €232. He has been offered 15 hours’ work over 5 days @ €12.00 per hour = €180.00. If he takes the job his BTEA will be affected as follows:

Jobseeker’s Allowance Means Test as applies to BTEA rate:

• €20 disregard per day at a maximum of 3 days = €60

• The balance is then assessed at 60%

• €180.00 (wages) - €60 = €120.00 assessed at 60% = €72.00

• Assessable Means of €72.00 assessed against BTEA of €232

New Rate of BTEA payable:

• John’s BTEA payment will be reduced by €72.00 per week

• John’s BTEA payment will be reduced from €232 to €160.00 per week

BTEA and Redundancy - If people are awarded statutory redundancy, they can have immediate access to the BTEA (or within one year of the award of the statutory redundancy). You must be entitled to a qualifying Social Welfare payment before starting the course.

BTEA and Further Level Education – People can attend a Further Level education course at any community, comprehensive, secondary, or vocational school, with which the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) has a funding relationship. The course must be full-time and lead to a certificate recognised by the DFHERIS or approved by QQI as laid out under the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

BTEA and Higher Level Education – People can attend a Higher Level Education course of education at any university, third level college or institution, provided that the course is a full-time day course of study and is QQI approved. BTEA is only permitted for courses commencing in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

BTEA Postgraduate Option – If people have an undergraduate third-level qualification (i.e., a degree), their application for a BTEA while pursuing post-graduate education will only be considered if they are doing a Higher Diploma in any discipline

Payment on the BTEA - The Back to Education Allowance will only be paid for the duration of the academic year for those in receipt of Jobseeker’s payments. It is NOT payable for the 3-month summer period between academic years. BTEA participants who are unable to find employment during the summer period may be entitled to claim a jobseeker’s payment. They will be required to satisfy the normal qualifying conditions.

BTEA and Other Payments - People getting a Back to Education Allowance cannot work full-time and are not eligible for Community Employment, Tús, Rural Social Scheme, any other FET or Fáilte Ireland training programmes, Part-time Job Incentive Scheme or any other employment or training scheme or programme operated by the National Learning Network. People getting a Back to Education Allowance are not eligible for Working Family Payment (WFP).

BTEA and Monitoring Arrangements - You must provide the Department of Social Protection with confirmation of your registration as a full-time student, commencement date and details of the course. You must supply this information to the DSP before payment on the BTEA can begin. During the academic year, you may be asked to provide confirmation that you are still taking part in the course.

Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance (for Further Education) - You will be eligible for the Back to Education Allowance if you are:

• In receipt of a qualifying social protection payment for a specified period of time

• Starting the first year of a course

• Taking a course requiring full-time attendance for the complete academic year which leads to a recognised qualification in an accepted college

• Advancing in the level of education that you currently hold

Aged 21 or over and be in receipt of the following payments for at least 3 months:

• Jobseeker’s Allowance — Jobseeker’s Benefit

• Jobseeker’s Benefit Credits only — Farm & Fish Assist

• Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) — Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance

• Jobseeker’s Transition Payment — Deserted Wife’s Payment

• Widow’s / Widower’s Contributory or Non-Contributory pension

Aged 18 or over, and be in receipt of one of the following payments, for at least 3 months:

• One-Parent Family Payment — Blind Person’s Pension

• Carer’s Allowance — Disability Allowance

• Invalidity Pension — Incapacity Supplement

or

Aged between 18-21, and out of formal education for two years, and receiving one of the following payments for at least 3 months:

• Jobseeker’s Benefit — Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Jobseeker’s Benefit – Credits only — Farm & Fish Assist

• Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed)

or

• Aged 18 or over and in receipt of Illness Benefit for 2 years or more.

Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance (for Higher Education) - Aged 21 or over and be in receipt of the following payments for at least 9 months:

• Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Jobseeker’s Benefit

• Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed)

• Jobseeker’s Benefit Credits only

• Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment

• Farm & Fish Assist

• Deserted Wife’s Allowance/Benefit

• Widow’s/Widower’s Contributory, Non-Contributory pension

• Prisoners Wife’s Allowance

Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance (for Higher Education) - Aged 21 or over and be in receipt of the following payments for at least 9 months:

• One-Parent Family Payment

• Carer’s Allowance

• Blind Pension,

• Disability Allowance

• Invalidity Pension

• Incapacity Supplement

Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance (for Higher Education) - Aged 18-20 and out of formal education for two years and getting one of the following payments for at least 9 months:

• Jobseeker’s Benefit

• Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Farm and Fish Assist

• Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed)

• Jobseeker’s Benefit Credits only

Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance (for Higher Education) - Aged 18-20 and in receipt of Illness Benefit for 2 years or more

BTEA is not awarded to a person who already holds a post-graduate qualification

BTEA and Application Process

Contact the colleges directly to get information about courses. The local Education and Training Board (ETB) will be willing to help you do this and can help with general information. In addition, they may help you with financial assistance towards the application fees.

Most applications are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Some colleges may also ask you to make a separate application to them directly. Ask if this is necessary.

The college may ask you to attend an interview to assess your knowledge of the subjects you wish to study. During this interview they might ask about your motivation and commitment to staying in college for the duration of the course.

When you receive a letter offering you a place at college, fill out ‘Form BTE1’ available at your local Intreo Centre or download at: www.gov.ie/welfare

BTEA and the Grant Application Process

The Student Grant Scheme is administered by the centralised national grant awarding authority Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), a business unit of CDETB (City of Dublin Education and Training Board). Grant applications are submitted online via SUSI’s website, www.susi.ie. A student cannot hold both a student maintenance grant and BTEA simultaneously as this is considered a duplication of payments. However, students in receipt of BTEA may apply to SUSI to have their student contribution and any fees not covered under the Free Fees Initiative paid on their behalf under the Student Grant Scheme.

New Applicants - All applications will be made online to a single awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), through the www.susi.ie website. Following an initial assessment of your application, if eligible, you will receive by post, notification of provisional grant approval and a personalised list of the supporting documents you will need to return to complete your application.

Completed documentary evidence packs (photocopies of the documents, not originals) should be returned as soon as possible in the envelope provided to you.

When you return all the necessary supporting documents, SUSI will process your application to award stage, subject to confirmation of your acceptance on an approved course. When you confirm acceptance of a place on an approved course (usually late August/early September), your grant will be awarded. You should notify the fees/registration office in your college of your grant eligibility. If a student wishes to discuss their circumstances with SUSI, they can make enquiries regarding eligibility for grant assistance by contacting the SUSI Support Desk by calling 0818 888 777 or email: support@susi.ie. Information in relation to student grant assistance is also available from SUSI’s website: www.susi.ie. In terms of SUSI grant support, qualifying students can receive both fee and maintenance grant support. The highest grant support available for the 2023/24 academic year is €6,971 which increased to €7,313 effective from 01 January 2024 for the non-adjacent special rate of maintenance grant and up to €6,270 for fee grant support. The qualifying distance criterion for students to qualify for the non-adjacent rate of grant is 30km. Detailed information on financial supports for students can be found on the website: www.susi.ie.

New applicants who are in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance, and the VTOS allowance for those pursuing PLC courses, will not be eligible for student maintenance grants. The cost of the student contribution and any fees payable to colleges will continue to be met for eligible students by the Exchequer on their behalf.

For grant eligibility, the student must be resident in the State for 3 of the past 5 years. For re-entry as an independently assessed mature student, the duration of the break in studies must be at least 3 years.

The Student Grant Scheme also contains a “second chance” provision, whereby mature students who previously attended but did not successfully complete a course, who re-enter an approved course following a break in studies of at least five years, may be assessed for grant assistance.

Student Grants Available to Persons in Direct Provision Centres Attending Courses in PLC Colleges and Third-level institutions

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science operates a student grant scheme for persons in the protection process or at the leave to remain (but not deportation order) stage. The scheme provides supports to qualifying students which are like those available in the statutory based Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. To qualify for the International Protection Student Scheme, prospective students must meet several criteria, including a requirement to:

• meet the definition of a protection applicant or a person at leave to remain stage (other than those at the deportation order stage).

• have been continuously resident in the State for a continuous period of 3 years or more and is a protection applicant or a person at leave to remain stage for a continuous period of 3 years or more as at the day before the date of commencement of the course and have not had a deportation order

• issued against them

• be attending an approved Post Leaving Certificate, an approved undergraduate course or an approved post graduate course in the State

Further information is available on https://www.gov.ie/en/service/e786a-studentgrant-scheme-for-asylum-seekers/

BTEA – Grants and Funds available for Mature Students

If you wish to enter or return to third-level education and you are over 23 years of age, Irish third-level colleges have places on their courses for mature students. You will have to consider the costs of fees and maintenance depending on whether you are going to do a full-time or a part-time course.

If you are leaving work to study full-time on an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a third-level maintenance grant. Part-time courses are not funded by SUSI.

If you do not qualify for a student maintenance grant and you are doing a full-time undergraduate course, you may be eligible for free fees. If you are applying for an undergraduate course and have already completed an undergraduate course, you are not eligible for either a student maintenance grant or free fees.

You will also have to pay fees if you are intending to study part-time or do a distance learning course. If you do have to pay fees you may be able to get tax relief at the standard rate.

People who are getting Back to Education Allowance, and those on Post-Leaving Certificate courses who are getting VTOS allowances, will not be eligible for a student maintenance grant. However, this does not affect any entitlement they may have to an exemption from college fees.

Help with Fees and Maintenance

The main scheme that apply to mature students (persons over 23 years of age) the Student Grant Scheme, which is available to students who plan to study full time on approved third-level courses (of at least two years duration), including mature students.

From September 2023, the postgraduate fee grant increased from €3,500 to €4,500.

The income threshold to qualify for the standard rate of student grant remains at €46,790 in the 2023/2024 academic year. However, the income threshold for the 50% student contribution grant has increased from €55,240 to €62,000 and a new student contribution grant of €500 for eligible households earning between €62,000 and €100,000 was introduced.

Postgraduate students

Student Grant Scheme:

• Postgraduate students, who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the relevant Student Grant Scheme, are eligible to have their postgraduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit under the Student Grant Scheme and qualify for the highest rate of maintenance

• grant of €6,971 non-adjacent which increased to €7,313 effective from 01 January 2024, or €2,936 adjacent rate which increased to €3,099 also effective from 01 January 2024

• From September 2023, the postgraduate fee grant increased from €3,500 to €4,500.

• For the academic year 2023 / 2024, there was an increase to all student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, which increased from €6,971 to €7,313 effective from 01 January 2024 for nonadjacent rates and from €2,936 to €3,099 for adjacent rate also effective

• from 01 January 2024. This will benefit all students entitled to receive a maintenance Grant.

Other Funds

There are several of other funds available to support you in your return to third level education. These include:

Fund for students with disabilities - The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is the principal funding source for students with disabilities in further and higher education. The purpose of

the Fund is to provide funding to higher and further education institutions, to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible full and part-time students with disabilities, so that they can participate on an equal basis with their peers. Eligible students can receive assistance from the FSD from further education level 5 up to doctoral level 10, and it can be applied for during any year of study. Funding can be used to provide supports and accommodations in any of the following broad categories:

• Assistive technology equipment and software (including student training).

• Non-medical helpers (e.g. personal assistants, notetakers).

• Academic / learning support.

• Deaf supports (e.g. sign language interpreters, SpeedText)

• Transport support.

Students Assistance Fund - The SAF is allocated to higher education institutions (HEIs). It provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level education. Students can be assisted towards costs such as food, utility bills, rent, childcare costs, transport costs, medical costs, and books/class materials. This list is not exhaustive. Funding is not available to assist students with the costs of tuition fees, registration fees, student loans or any costs that are borne by the HEI.

Students on full or part-time courses leading to a higher education award (NQF level 6-10) in the universities, institutes of technology and other approved colleges can apply for the SAF.

To apply, contact the Mature Students Officer or the Admissions Officer at the college. For the Special fund for People with Disabilities apply to the Student Counsellor or Disabilities Support Officer at the college of your choice.

FIT (Fastrack to Information Technology) - FIT is an industry-led initiative which works in close collaboration with government departments and national education and training agencies, local development organisations and a host of community-based organisations. Its primary partners in education and training include SOLAS, ETBs, Third Level Institutions, Léargas, Leader Companies, Rapid Coordinators, Local Authorities and Employment Pacts. FIT programmes are carefully tailored to give jobseekers new marketable skills to compete for sustainable jobs in the emerging knowledge economy. FIT courses are accessible, and results are achievable even for people who may not have taken part in formal education for many years. To find out more information on the wide range of courses on offer, to check the eligibility criteria and to enrol on a FIT course visit: www.fit.ie

Skillnet Ireland - Skillnet Ireland is an enterprise-led body funded from the National Training Fund (NTF) to provide companies with new opportunities to develop relevant, effective solutions to their training and development needs. Skills Connect offers free training programmes, including enterprise-led job placements, to jobseekers looking for new jobs and careers. Skills Connect is delivered in close partnership with employers and can help individuals develop the skills to explore a career in a sector with greater employment potential. Over 20 Skillnet Business Networks deliver Skills Connect programmes. For further information contact Skillnet Ireland on: (01) 207 9630. The website is www.skillnetireland.ie.

Education, Training and Development Courses - You may be able to take up short term full time education, training or development courses not normally covered by the BTEA. This can be discussed with a Job Coach / Employment Personal Adviser at your local Intreo Centre. Persons who qualify under the ET&D option continue to be paid Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit. In order to qualify a person must immediately prior to commencing an approved course be:

• 21 years of age; or

• 18-20 years of age and out of formal education for 2 years

• In receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s benefit payment for at least 6 months (156 days)

A Job Coach / Employment Personal Adviser must approve the course. You must satisfy a Job Coach / Employment Personal Adviser that the course will specifically improve your chance of getting employment.

A broad range of basic courses may be approved, e.g. personal development courses, basic education, literacy classes and general training courses.

Part-time Education Options - If you are a Jobseeker, you can take on part-time study and you may be able to retain your Jobseeker’s payment. Although this option is not part of any return-to-education programme or course, it is your ‘right’ as an unemployed person to pursue training, re-training, or education, which may improve your ability to seek and find work, while you continue to look for work. To be eligible you will still need to be Genuinely Seeking Work. To avail of this option, you will need to complete the form PTEO (Part-Time Education Option) with details of your planned education and submit it to your local Intreo Centre. You should do this prior to starting your course to ensure that no problems arise.

Springboard+ Initiative - If you are unemployed, you may want to continue your education or take part in a training course to develop your skills and improve your chances of getting back to work. Springboard+, which incorporates the ICT Skills Conversion programme, is an initiative to help the unemployed, and previously self-employed people and returners (homemakers) remain as close as possible to the labour market. Since 2018, those in employment are also eligible to apply and pay 10% of the cost of the course fee.

A full list of approved Springboard+ and HCI courses together with the eligibility criteria are available on the Springboard+ website springboardcourses.ie. Applications for the Springboard+ programme can only be made online through the dedicated information and applications website springboardcourses.ie. Potential applicants can also contact the Springboard+ Guidance Helpline on 1800 303523 for further information. Applications cannot be made directly to colleges participating in Springboard+. Please contact individual colleges for information on new courses. If you are getting a Social Welfare payment, you should notify your local Intreo Centre and check what further steps (if any) you need to take.

What is the Springboard+ Qualification Eligibility?

Returners apply to all courses free of charge, if they meet the nationality/visa requirement and residency criteria. Course specific criteria may also apply.

People in employment apply to all courses if they meet the nationality/visa requirement and residency criteria. A 10% course fee contribution for Level 7, 8, and 9 courses is applicable for employed participants. This is payable directly to the provider.

Level 6 courses are free to all participants.

Unemployed people or formerly self-employed people apply to all courses free of charge.

Unemployed applicants in receipt of a qualifying DSP payment should contact their local office to complete an application to retain their payment prior to starting the course.

At the time of starting a Springboard+ course, you must either be getting a qualifying Social Welfare payment or be in one of the other eligible categories listed below. The qualifying Social Welfare payments are:

• Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB)

• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA)

• Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) (JBSE)

• Jobseeker’s Benefit Credits ONLY

• Jobseeker’s Transition Payment (JST)

• Deserted Wife’s Allowance

• One-Parent Family (OFP)

• Disability Allowance (DA)

• Qualified Adults of Working Age

• Carer’s Allowance (CA)

• Farm Assist/Fish Assist

• Blind Persons Pension

• Prisoners Wife’s Allowance

• Invalidity Pension

• Widow/Widower’s/Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory or Non-Contributory Pension

A qualifying period of 9 months is required for full-time Springboard third level courses. People participating in the Community Employment Scheme, the Rural Social Scheme, Tús or in receipt of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance or the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance may apply for Springboard+ and, with the approval of a Department of Social Protection Employment Personal Adviser, take up a Springboard+ course.

You can also apply for a course if you were formerly self-employed but are now unemployed and actively seeking work, even if you are currently in receipt of a Social Welfare payment.

Returners are a further category who are eligible to apply for a free Springboard+ course. They are people who are not in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection but who have been out of the work environment for a number of years.

Springboard+ ICT Skills Conversion Programme

Places have been made available on Higher Diploma Level 8 ICT Conversion Programmes. The programmes are targeted at Jobseekers who have the capacity and underlying aptitude, as well as an honours degree in a cognate discipline, to undergo an intensive programme of study and work experience to acquire honours degree level ICT programming skills. Specific eligibility criteria are available at: www.springboardcourses.ie

A person who is in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance for nine months may qualify to retain their income support while participating on a one-year, Springboard+ course. Eligible participants will transfer to a version of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).

Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1 – Graduate Conversion Courses

Graduate Conversion Programmes under the HCI offers incentivised places for graduates to reskill in areas of skills shortage and emerging technologies. These are being run alongside, and complementary to, the Springboard+ offerings. These courses are one-year, full time conversion and two-year part-time courses at Levels 8 and 9, in areas of identified skills need, building on experience of the ICT Conversion Courses under Springboard+.

Similar to the ICT Skills Conversion Programme, individuals receiving Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance for at least nine of the previous twelve months may qualify for income support retention during a one-year, full-time ICT skills conversion course. Eligible participants will switch to a bespoke version of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).

Persons in receipt of Jobseeker's payment, including Farm Assist and Qualified Adults of Working Age, are not eligible for enrolment in two-year part-time Conversion courses, irrespective of the duration.