Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 10

Written Answers. - Vocational Training Opportunities Schemes.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

114 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social Welfare if participants on the vocational training opportunities scheme are entitled to receive a rent allowance; if community welfare officers have been instructed to discontinue payment of the rent allowance to these participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

All participants on the vocational training opportunities scheme receive a weekly payment equivalent to their unemployment payment or lone parent's allowance. In addition, they are entitled to retain any existing secondary benefits, including rent supplements, for the duration of the course. The scheme is administered by the Department of Education and partially funded from the European social fund.

Normally, rent supplements payable to VTOS participants are paid through the Vocational Education Committees in addition to the weekly VTOS allowance but, where this is not possible, payment of the rent supplement continues to be made by the Health Board.

To avoid any confusion in the matter, Health Boards have now been instructed by my Department to pay rent supplements, where appropriate, in the case of all new VTOS participants from the beginning of the current 1993-94 academic year and in any other cases where payment by the Vocational Education Committee is not possible.