asked the Minister for Labour if he will assure present CERT trainees and those contemplating taking a CERT course that there will be no reduction in allowances during 1987 or 1988 or deterioration in their conditions over that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - CERT Trainees' Allowances.
114.
One of the terms of reference of the Social Guarantee Advisory Board was to advise the YEA on the allowances to be paid to participants in youth training programmes. The board reported to the YEA in June last and the revised training allowances proposed by them were subsequently endorsed by me.
In addition, I decided that the accommodation allowance payable to trainees having to live away from home should be set at £20 per week. I also decided that allowances payable to CERT school based trainees should be similar to those paid to middle level technician students in RTCs.
The revised allowances are payable to all trainees entering training after 17 August 1987. Those already in training on that date continue to be paid their existing allowance until completion of their course. No further review of allowances is envisaged at this stage.