Young people who are out of work for more than six months are to be given the opportunity to return to education, according to Kildare North Fianna Fail T.D., Áine Brady.
“The Minister for Social and Family Affairs announced this week that the €71million available under the Back to Education Allowance Scheme this year will be specifically targeted at young men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 who are signing on the Live Register.”
“The Minister has asked the officials in her Department to operate a specific programme over the summer months to identify and contact young people who may be eligible to qualify for the Back to Education Allowance Scheme.”
“Recent CSO figures showed an increase in the amount of young people signing on, and the Government is keen to address the trend.”
“The Back to Education Allowance Scheme enables participants to receive a weekly rate of payment equivalent to their second or third level education. This payment is not means tested and there is also an additional payment of €500 paid to participants at the start of the academic year.”
“This financial assistance enables people to return to education, up-skill or re-skill, with a view to improving their future employment prospects.”
“In the last academic year almost 9,000 men and women availed of the Back to Education Allowance Scheme. It is a very successful scheme and I would like to encourage anyone who is struggling to find work to investigate their eligibility,” concluded Deputy Brady.
Full details on eligibility are available from: www.welfare.ie