FÁS training allowances
Information
FÁS training courses are free (except for evening courses) and you may be paid a training allowance for the duration of your course. You can also claim an accommodation allowance if you need to live away from home for the duration of the course or a travel allowance if you live 3 miles or more from the course centre. You may qualify for a free childcare place for your child.
The rate of the weekly training allowance is linked to your age – see ‘Rates’ below. However, if you are getting a higher social welfare payment before starting the course, your training allowance will match that higher rate. FÁS training allowances are not taxable.
Since January 2010, unemployed people who start a FÁS course do not get a training allowance when they start a FÁS course unless they are entitled to a qualifying payment, such as Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit. However, if you are aged under 18 and attending a Community Training Centre you will still get the age-related training allowance – see ‘Rates’ below.
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.Social welfare payments and FÁS training allowances
Your situation when on a FÁS course will depend on the social welfare payment you are getting, as follows:
Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance
Your payment is suspended but you will get a FÁS training allowance of the same amount.
You will get a training bonus of €20 per week if you:
- Have been getting Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance for 12 months or more, or
- Are progressing from at least 12 months on a FÁS Community Employment (CE) or Job Initiative (JI) programme or
- Have been involved in a combination of the above. For example, if you have been getting Jobseeker's Benefit for 6 months and have been on a Community Employment scheme for another 6 months of the previous year.
If you have a disability, FÁS will apply flexible sick leave arrangements if necessary.
If your entitlement to a jobseeker’s payment expires during the FÁS course, your training allowance will stop.
Disability Allowance or Blind Pension
- Your Disability Allowance or Blind Pension is suspended but you will get a FÁS training allowance of the same amount.
- You will get a training bonus of €20 per week.
- You will keep any secondary benefits, such as your medical card or travel pass.
You can find more details on the FÁS website.
Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension
- You will keep your Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension (but you must get an exemption from the Department of Social Protection authorising you to do the FÁS course).
- You will get a FÁS training allowance
- You will not get a training bonus.
- You will keep your secondary benefits.
You can find more details on the FÁS website.
One-Parent Family Payment
- You will keep your One-Parent Family Payment (but it will be reduced as your FÁS training allowance will be assessed against it as income).
- You will get a FÁS training allowance.
- You will not get a training bonus of €20 per week, unless you are progressing from at least 12 months on a CE Scheme or Job Initiative programme.
Rates
Weekly training allowances in 2012 are as follows :
| Age | Rate per week (full-time) | Rate per week (20 hours) |
| 16 -17 years* | €40 | €23 |
| 16 years (getting Disability Allowance) | €76.65 | €44.10 |
| 17 years (getting Disability Allowance) | €95.75 | €55.10 |
| 18 years and over | €188.00 | €108.20 |
*Applies to new entrants from 1 January 2012 excluding those getting Disability Allowance.
However, if you are getting a higher social welfare payment before starting the course, your training allowance will match that higher rate.
How to apply
In order to apply for a place on a FÁS training course, you must first
register with your local FÁS Employment
Services Office. You will be interviewed in order to identify the course
that will best suit your needs. Due to the pressure on some courses, you may
not get a place immediately on the course of your choice. You can search
online for FÁS training courses.
Language
Related Documents
- FÁS National Traineeship Programme
The National FÁS Traineeship programme including information on how it works, who it is aimed at, how to apply and what allowances are available to participating trainees. - FÁS training courses
Information about FÁS training courses, who is eligible for them and the allowances for participants - Disability payments and work
You may be able to work and either keep all or some of your disability payment. Find out how rehabilitative work can affect your Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit and any secondary benefits you are getting.
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.