The Government has announced more than 5,800 free higher education places for jobseekers.

Almost 700 are part-time, two-year ICT Conversion Courses.

Ministers Richard Bruton and John Halligan have launched "Springboard+ 2016", to provide reskilling and upskilling opportunities for people who are out of work.

There are 180 courses, both full and part-time, in 36 educational institutions across the country.

This year, priority has been given to ICT, high-level manufacturing, entrepreneurship and international financial services.

Also included are new courses in culinary skills in order to address emerging skills gaps in that area.

Minister Halligan underlined the importance of cooperation with industry.

He said: "All the courses available under the programme are in areas of identified skills needs based on industry input and guidance from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs."

Full details of the Springboard+ together and the eligibility criteria, are available here.