Update on Springboard programme

Springboard, an innovative new government initiative which offers job seekers the option to take up a part-time course in higher education and training, free-of-charge has now been opened to people on Disability Allowance.

Following representations from AHEAD, the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn TD, has updated the eligibility to allow people previously in receipt of Disability Allowance to use that time to meet the criteria for accessing Springboard. This is a welcome development, and one we hope other labour market initiatives will also incorporate.

Springboard provides training opportunities designed to address skills gaps in areas of strong employment in the Irish economy recently identified by Forfás. We would encourage any graduates with a disability experiencing unemployment to investigate the many opportunities available throughout the higher education sector.

You can find out more about Springboard here (including eligibility criteria)