Get financial supports for training or education
- Foilsithe: 20 Bealtaine 2021
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 9 Lúnasa 2022
- Weekly payment options
- Training Support Grant
- Options for training and education
- Contact your local Intreo for advice
Intreo (the Irish Public Employment Services) has a number of ways to support you to upskill or return to education. This should enhance your job prospects and help you to re-enter the workplace.
It may be possible to keep some income supports while you are on an education or training course. This depends on the type of course, the length of course and how long you have been getting a qualifying social welfare payment.
Weekly payment options
Back to Education Programme
The Back to Education Programme covers the following study options:
- Second level education courses
- Third level education courses
- Some postgraduate courses
- Education, training and development courses
- Part-time education courses
Back to Education Allowance for Full-Time Education
If you are getting certain social welfare payments, you may be eligible to take part in second or third level full-time education and receive a weekly Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) payment.
Part-Time Education Option
The Part-Time Education Option (PTEO) allows you to keep your Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit while you attend a part-time day, evening, distance or online education or training course.
Part-time courses provided such as those from Education and Training Boards (ETBs), Springboard+, Skillnet's Skills Connect course and others are available through this option.
Education, Training and Development Option
The Education, Training and Development Option (ET&D) allows you to keep your jobseekers payment while taking part in a shorter duration course. These include personal development courses, basic education, such as literacy classes, general training courses and training for specific job skills.
Community Employment
The Community Employment Programme (CE) combines work in the community with personalised training and development. You can receive an individual learning plan where specific training is identified for you. There are a range of recognised QQI Awards available through this programme.
Training Support Grant
If you have a skills gap that could prevent you from applying for a job, the Training Support Grant (TSG) funds quick access to short-term training if you are on a jobseekers payment.
A grant of up to €1,000 is available towards the cost of your course where similar courses are not currently available free of charge from other programmes and agencies such as SOLAS or the Education and Training Boards (ETBs).
Options for training and education
- The Right Course is a one-stop-shop containing information about available courses if you want to learn new skills, update your skills or find a new direction.
- Springboard+ upskilling initiative in higher education offers free and subsidised courses.
- Skillnet's Skills Connect programme offers a number of programmes for people who would like to reskill or upskill.
- Further Education and Training (FET) offers a wide variety of education courses with full-time, part-time, online and blended learning options.
- Vocational Education and Training Options (VTOS) is a second chance education and training programme which provides courses for unemployed people.
- If you would like to improve your skills in reading, writing, spelling or maths, the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) provides information on free courses nationwide.
Contact your local Intreo for advice
You can find out more information by contacting your local Intreo Centre.