83 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of the way an unemployed teacher or special needs assistant can apply to work in a school and receive social benefits. [46993/10]

My Department has recently issued a circular which permits schools to participate in the FÁS Work Placement Programme (WPP) if they so wish. This FÁS programme is intended to assist people who are unemployed to retain their skills levels and secure work experience that will assist them in finding employment. This involves a placement for a defined period, rather than employment, and participants in this voluntary programme may be entitled to maintain their social welfare entitlements subject to the rules of the Department of Social Protection.

The WPP provides a mechanism for schools to offer placements to graduates and non-graduates from a wide variety of disciplines which has not existed up until now and offers an opportunity for schools to access skills and experience which may otherwise be unavailable. The individuals on placement will, in turn, have the opportunity to utilise and develop their own skills.

Placements are not confined to teaching or SNA posts. It is a condition of the programme that any placements must not displace an existing member of staff or be used to fill a vacant post. This provision includes substitute vacancies. People interested in applying for placements under the scheme should contact their nearest FÁS office as all placements will be advertised through FÁS.