asked the Minister for Labour whether participants on FÁS courses scheme who are in receipt of unemployment assistance will forfeit their Christmas bonus and butter vouchers which are distributed by the Department of Social Welfare.
Written Answers. - FÁS Courses Scheme.
137.
FÁS trainees who were in receipt of long term unemployment assistance before the commencement of their training and who would have qualified for the Christmas bonus paid by the Department of Social Welfare had they remained on the live register and in receipt of UA will be eligible to receive a comparable bonus from FÁS this Christmas. As regards butter vouchers, these are given under an EC scheme to recipients of social welfare assistance only. However, I would remind the Deputy that trainees receive a meal allowance which should more than compensate for loss of the vouchers.