Vol. 439 No. 5
13 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education if she proposes to increase the number of places on the vocational training opportunities scheme; and if she intends to have the restrictions eased on eligibility and child care facilities to increase women's participation.
As the Deputies are probably aware a substantial expansion of the scheme was announced recently in the context of the budget.
The period of employment necessary to be eligible for participation in the scheme has also been reduced recently from 12 to six months.
In July last year the eligibility requirements for the scheme were amended to provide that up to 10 per cent of places on the scheme would be reserved for lone parents and other categories, including those for whom adult dependent social welfare allowances are payable. This amendment will mainly benefit women. In 1991-92 prior to this amendment, information available showed that 35 per cent of VTOS participants were women. This compares with the figure of 13 per cent for the percentage of women among the long term unemployed. Information available since the amendment would indicate that the proportion of women on the scheme is now substantially greater. The question of child-care facilities in the case of the VTOS is under consideration at present.
I will be keeping the representation of women on VTOS under review in conjunction with the Department of Social Welfare, and everything possible will be done to ensure that the level of participation of women on the scheme is satisfactory.
