Vol. 476 No. 7
259 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Education if he will raise the ceiling of 10 per cent on certain groups such as lone parents, those in receipt of disability allowance and dependent spouses of all categories, in respect of their eligibility for participation in VTOS courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8190/97]
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 the dependent spouses of all eligible categories. An overall quota of up to 10 per cent of places applies to these categories.
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 lone parents, recipients of disability allowances and dependent spouses of eligible categories.
The position regarding eligibility for the scheme will, however, be kept under review.
