Adults targeted in back to school plan
At present almost 5,000 adults are back in school or college under the existing programme.
The Minister said there was a link between long-term unemployment and poor educational attainment. This link demanded that resources be focussed on raising educational and skill levels among the unemployed.
Under the programme unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities aged 21 and over and in receipt of payment for six months or more, can take up approved second and third level education while retaining their full social welfare entitlements.
Main features of the programme are:
* A standard rate of payment will apply to all participants which is set at the maximum rate of their current social welfare payment.
*The allowance is not means tested, so students who wish to work to supplement their allowance can do so.
*The allowance is payable for the full duration of the course, including all holiday periods.
*The existing annual book allowance of £100 is being increased to £150 from next September.
JOB PROSPECTS
The Minister said he was also extending the scope of the Back to Education Programme to allow unemployed people attend approved courses of education, training or development to improve their job prospects.
Mr Ahern said that a new course the National Certificate in Technology is included in allowance. This innovative course is part of a new industry/college initiative and is starting this month in the RTCs. It is aimed at training technicians for the information technology sector.
At yesterday's launch, three adults who had left school early and returned to education told their stories. Dubliners Maria White and John Finn are now teaching both had left school at a very early stage and took part in Vocational Training Opportunities Schemes in Dublin vocational schools before going to college. Maria went to St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, and John to the National College of Art and Design.
John Devane, the youngest of seven children, was ``a bit of a rebel'' who had refused to attend school. After years of short term jobs he took his Leaving Certificate and then went to UCC to study law. He qualified as a solicitor in 1996 and is currently working in Limerick.
