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Education Support Scheme

Details of the Education and Development Support Scheme

What does it do?

The scheme has four main aims:-

  • it provides support for members to take part in further education as to improve their employment and promotion prospects while at the same time contributing to the development of the Union.
  • it tries to improve the skills of Union representatives and members so they can participate more effectively in workplace union organisation and representation.
  • it encourages the study of key issues in trade unionism, equality, industrial relations and the wider labour movement.
  • it offers support for the children of members to participate in second level education and the study of the Irish language.

How does it work?

The scheme has four main elements.

1. Members in Further Education

The scheme will offer up to ten awards every year.  Each award will be worth €1,000 for each year of study up to a maximum of four years. These awards will be made to Union members involved in study or research on a subject relating to trade union issues and industrial relations at National Certificate, Diploma, Degree, Post Graduate Diploma or Post-Graduate Degree level in a recognized third-level educational institution.

An award will not be given for a repeat year. Previous participation in the SIPTU College Basic Course for Shop Stewards and Activists or in the Union’s 30-day Advanced Course may be a factor in consideration for this award. To be eligible, an applicant must have at least one year’s membership of the Union and be in benefit when both the application and the payments are made.

2. Second-Level Awards - for Members and for Members’ Children.

Up to thirty awards will be made each year to second-level students to cover the senior cycle (the two years up to the Leaving Certificate). Each award will be worth €700 (€350 a year for two years) to help with the purchase of schoolbooks and class materials.  Twenty-five of the second level awards are specifically targeted at the children of Union members, whose weekly gross income is below the average weekly industrial earnings recorded by the Central Statistics Office and five additional awards have no income restriction.

Members studying for the Leaving Certificate as mature students may also be considered for this award – provided they meet the earnings criteria. A member, applying on his/her own behalf or on behalf of his/her child/children, must have at least one year’s membership of the Union and be in benefit when both the application and the payments are made.

3. Gaeltacht Awards for Members’ Children

Up to twenty-five awards will be made each year for the children of members to cover the cost of their participation (accommodation and tuition fees) in a Gaeltacht course under the scheme operated jointly by SIPTU and Gael Linn. A member, applying on behalf of his/her child/children must have at least one year’s membership of the Union and not be in arrears when the application is made and the course takes place.

The closing date for applications is September 30, 2007



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