Child care support during FÁS training courses
Information
If you have applied for a vocational training programme through FÁS, you may need childcare. Under the Childcare Employment and Training Support (CETS) scheme, you may qualify for a free childcare place for your child. The CETS scheme replaced the FÁS childcare allowance and applies to people starting a training programme from September 2010 onwards.
If you are already attending a FÁS training programme and getting a FÁS childcare allowance, you will continue to get this until you finish the programme.
The Childcare Employment and Training Support scheme is provided and managed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA).
Exceptions: Certain training programmes are not included in
CETS, such as: Community
Employment, Job
Initiative, apprenticeship, night
courses, supported
employment, Job Club and the Work Placement programme.
SOLAS
A new further education and training authority called SOLAS (Seirbhísí Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna) is being set up. FÁS will be disbanded. Participants on current FÁS and further education courses will not be affected by the establishment of SOLAS and will continue their courses under the new authority.
Rules
You may qualify for a free childcare place while undertaking a FÁS vocational training course if:
- You are currently unemployed and wish to undertake a FÁS vocational training programme
- You are the main carer of a child or children
- You need assistance with child care in order to take up a training opportunity
Local childcare services will provide full-time, part-time and after school places – see ‘How to apply’ below. Places are available on a first come, first served basis. The childcare places are available for the duration of the training programme.
If you cannot find a place for your child you should contact your local FÁS or Local Employment Service (LES) office and let them know the area in which you need a childcare place. They will ask the DCYA, who will try to provide additional childcare places in your area.
How to apply
When you get a letter offering you a place on a FÁS course, you will be given a list of local childcare providers. You should use this letter to book a place for your child or children with a childcare provider.
When your training programme starts you will get a letter confirming that you have started the programme and giving the start and finish dates of the programme. You should use this letter to confirm the duration of the childcare place with the childcare provider.
A list of the childcare providers participating in the CETS scheme and further information is available from your local FÁS Employment Services office or LES (Local Employment Services) office.
Where to apply
Contact your local FÁS office.
Language
Related Documents
- FÁS training courses
Information about FÁS training courses, who is eligible for them and the allowances for participants - FÁS training allowances
If you get a place on a FÁS training course you may be paid an allowance for the duration of your course. - Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme
This scheme offers education and training courses for unemployed adults and other people getting certain social welfare payments.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.