asked the Minister for Education the reason the European Social Fund money is available to RTC students only and not to other third level students and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - European Social Fund.
219.
I presume that the Deputy's question relates to the Department's middle-level technician training grants scheme. Participants in this scheme receive trainee allowance for which aid is available from the European Social Fund. This scheme relates specifically to a programme of one and two year courses of vocational training; it is not applicable to higher education courses. The relevant vocational training courses are available in regional technical colleges and colleges of technology only.
The European Social Fund guidelines under which the programme is aided specify that eligible courses have to be geared to meeting very specific requirements in regard to the nature and content and in relation to the persons participating.
220.
asked the Minister for Education the amount of money which was paid from the European Social Fund to third level students last year.
It is presumed that the Deputy is referring to participants in this Department's middle level technician programme which embraces specific one and two year courses in regional technical colleges and colleges of technology.
The funds allocated to vocational educational committees to meet the cost of allowances to persons participating in this programme in 1985 totalled £11.625 million. The aid obtainable from the European Social Fund in respect of this expenditure is £6.394 million.