Vol. 470 No. 1
202 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education his views on whether the demand for places on vocational training opportunities schemes by recipients of disability and invalidity benefits and their spouses, is far in excess of the 10 per cent allowed; if he will agree to increase the percentage of reserved places for this category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18356/96]
The vocational training opportunities scheme was established in 1989 to cater for long-term unemployed people. It was on this basis that EU structural fund support was obtained.
The scheme was broadened in 1993 to include lone parents, disabled people and their spouses for whom adult dependent allowances under the relevant schemes are paid. An overall quota of up to 10 per cent of places applies to these categories.
As all applications for places are made directly to the vocational education committees information relating to the demand from recipients of disability payments for places is not readily available to my Department.
The main aim of the VTOS is to provide a second chance education opportunity to long-term unemployed persons who have demonstrated through the signing on process that they are unemployed and seeking employment.
Because of the focus of VTOS on employment, my Department is not in a position to raise the 10 per cent quota in order to accommodate more recipients of disability/invalidity benefits.
The position regarding eligibility for the scheme will, however, be kept under review.
