Most Frequently Asked Questions

Female Bursary

1. What is the female bursary?
2. Who can avail of the bursary?
3. How much does the bursary provide and how is it paid?
4. How do I avail of the apprenticeship bursary?
5. When do I send in the application form?

Travellers

1. I am a traveller, how do I get on a FÁS training course?
2. How can FÁS help me find employment?
3. Are all FÁS Training courses available to me?

Ex-prisoners/Ex-offenders

1. I am an ex-offender/ex-prisoner, how do I get on a FÁS training course?
2. How can FÁS help me find employment?
3. Are all FÁS Training courses available to me?

Female Bursary

1. What is the female bursary?
   The female bursary is a financial intervention by FÁS aimed at employers to encourage an increased level of recruitment of female apprentices in traditionally male trades.
2. Who can avail of the bursary?
   Employers in both the public and private sectors.
3. How much does the bursary provide and how is it paid?
   The bursary provides a total grant of €2667 split into 2 payments; the first is made during the first phase and the second during the third phase of the Apprenticeship
4. How do I avail of the apprenticeship bursary?
   Through an Application Form also available from FÁS Services to Business advisors in each Region.
5. When do I send in the application form?
   At the time of registering the female apprentice with FÁS.

Find more information about the Female Bursary.

Travellers

Over the past number of years FÁS has established direct links and dialogue with the traveller community. This has resulted in FÁS, other agencies where appropriate, and local traveller support groups collaborating on the design and delivery of culturally appropriate vocational training and employment initiatives. Traveller-specific programmes include primary healthcare for travellers, capacity building, traveller culture and heritage and Community Employment.

1. I am a traveller, how do I get on a FÁS training course?
   Contact your local FÁS Office and they will advise you of your options, including training and employment programmes in your area.
2. How can FÁS help me find employment?
   Jobs are advertised in the FÁS offices and on this website. Contact your local FÁS Office and they will advise you on career decisions.
3. Are all FÁS Training courses available to me?
   Yes, provided you meet the entry criteria.

Find more information about the Travellers Initiative.

Ex-prisoners/Ex-offenders

Ex-prisoners/Ex-offenders qualify for the full range of FÁS services. FÁS and the Probation and Welfare Services collaborate on a number of justice workshops for youths at risk who may be offenders or ex-prisoners. The aim is to prevent custodial sentences and to rehabilitate ex-offenders. At present there are a number of joint FÁS/Probation and Welfare Justice workshops.

1. I am an ex-offender/ex-prisoner, how do I get on a FÁS training course?
   Contact your local FÁS Office and they will advise you of your options, including training and employment programmes in your area. Time spent in prison counts as part of the eligibility period for Community Employment and ex-prisoners/ex-offenders do not have to be on the live register at the time of recruitment.
2. How can FÁS help me find employment?
   Jobs are advertised in the FÁS offices and at FÁS Jobs Ireland. Contact your local FÁS Office and they will advise you on career decisions. The High Support Process has been extended to include ex-prisoners/ex-offenders who would benefit from such support; this equates to a flexible training fund for employment support of up to €2500 per person, to purchase employment supports not readily available through mainstream providers.
3. Are all FÁS Training courses available to me?
   Yes, provided you meet the entry criteria.