Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 1994

Vol. 437 No. 6

Written Answers. - Vocational Training Opportunity Scheme.

Richard Bruton

Question:

577 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons wishing to return to work who take up a vocational training opportunities scheme are not paid the training allowance if they have not previously been in receipt of a social welfare payment; and whether this is unfairly discriminating against persons wishing to return to the labour force.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

All participants in the vocational training opportunity scheme attend courses under the scheme free of charge and with no cost to themselves for books and materials, etc. They may also get travel and meal allowances under the conditions of the scheme.

In addition allowances are payable by the vocational education committees to the participants in the scheme equal to the social welfare payments, if any, to which they would be entitled if they were not participating in the VTOS. Lone parents and the disabled/handicapped who participate in the scheme continue to receive their payments from the Department of Social Welfare or the health boards as appropriate.

The level of allowances payable by the vocational education committees to participants can therefore vary depending on the circumstances of the participants as relating to social welfare entitlements, and no allowances are payable to those who would not have such entitlements.

The VTOS is a programme for long term unemployed adults to increase their employability and the aim is to ensure that they do not lose by participating in the VTOS through loss of Social Welfare/Health Board entitlements. There is no provision for enchancing entitlements.