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9. Work Permit and the Implications for Education
• You are entitled to apply for a work permit when you have been waiting for more than five months for a first instance decision on your Protection Application. See here for details.
• With a work permit you are entitled to avail of vocational education & training (Apprenticeship & VTOS funding) in the same manner as Irish citizens.
• Your letter of permission from the Minister to access the labour market can be used as proof of your eligibility to work and attend Further Education and Training (FET).
• Information regarding Further Education and Training can be obtained at your local Education and Training Board (ETB) (see map on page 8), or your local Intreo Centre or your Local Employment Service (LES).
• Protection Applicants with a work permit are not required to pay International fees to attend PLC courses, you will be charged the same as an Irish Citizen. Normally you are exempt from the Government Levy (€200) and the Examination fee (€50) if you hold a Medical Card.
10. VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme)
• Applicable to people holding Labour Market Access Permission (Work Permit)
• Applicable to people with status
• VTOS is applicable to people over 21 years old
• You must be in receipt of social welfare benefits for 6 months or have a work permit in order
to apply to VTOS
• You will need to apply to your local College/Training Centre – ask to speak to their VTOS
Coordinator and explain that you would like to apply for VTOS
• The courses are full-time (up to 30 hours per week) for one or two years
• It offers Junior & Leaving Certificate and QQI awards at Levels 3 to 6
• If approved, all your fees are free and you will receive a small weekly allowance towards
travel/food if you are a Protection Applicant
• If you have status and are doing a PLC course on VTOS you are not eligible for the SUSI
maintenance grant, however you will continue to receive your social welfare payment, i.e.
Training Allowance (similar to Jobseekers Allowance)
• Time spent on Further Education & Training / Community Enterprise Scheme / Youthreach /
Jobs Initiative / may count towards social welfare qualifying periods
• Courses can be found at FetchCourses
• See Citizens Information and GOV.IE for further information.
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All information is for guidance only, it is not complete and any errors are unintentional. Please consult the relevant websites for accurate information