asked the Minister for Education the dates between which enrolments on vocational preparation and training programme courses in vocational schools for 1988-89 were accepted; and the date on which the announcement was made of the decision to withdraw allowances for such enrolments in respect of the year 1988-89.
Written Answers. - Vocational Preparation and Training Programmes.
182.
Participants in vocational preparation and training programmes must be enrolled before the 1 October of the year in question. The actual date of enrolment is a matter for the authorities of the school concerned subject to the above condition. The decision to withdraw training allowances was announced in a letter to school authorities in March 1988.
183.
asked the Minister for Education the cost to (a) the Exchequer and (b) the European Social Fund for the years 1986-87 and 1987-88 of the allowance to participants on vocational preparation and training programme courses; and the number of such allowances paid in each of these two years.
The vocational preparation and training programme is aided by the European Social Fund on a calendar year basis. Financial data on the programme is readily available on a calender year basis only but is not yet available for 1988. The cost of training allowances paid to participants in the programme, in the years 1986 and 1987 was as follows:
|
1986 |
1987 |
|
|
£ |
£ |
|
|
Total cost of which |
5,180,102 |
4,864,593 |
|
(a) Exchequer cost at 45% |
2,331,046 |
2,189,067 |
|
(b) ESF aid accruing at 55% |
2,849,056 |
2,675,526 |
The numbers of the trainees enrolled on the VPT programme in the years 1986-87 and 1987-88 were 19,935 and 18,774 respectively. Trainees were entitled to an allowance of £30 in respect of each complete month they spent on the programme.