Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Educational Schemes.

Ivan Yates

Question:

515 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will clarify details of the back to education allowance scheme to be introduced in 1998; if a study has been carried out on the impact this will have on existing VTOS courses whereby there are more attractive terms for people to avail of the scheme; if, in view of this, he will, in conjunction with the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, arrange that there would be absolute parity between the two schemes so that the VTOS structure and experience and skills built up over the last 12 years will not be made redundant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12159/98]

Willie Penrose

Question:

520 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the implication of the exclusion of VTOS courses from the recently launched back to education scheme, in particular the fact that students on VTOS courses now receive lesser benefits making it not as financially attractive for them to attend VTOS courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12164/98]

Paul McGrath

Question:

546 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of many tutors involved in VTOS courses following the apparent exclusion of VTOS courses from the booklet, Back to Education Scheme; if VTOS students will now be financially worse off than their counterparts on other courses; if this may direct students away from VTOS courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12364/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose taking Questions Nos. 515, 520 and 546 together.

The back to education allowance scheme, operated by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, provides for the payment of a training allowance to unemployed people who attend approved second and third level courses. The allowance, which is non means tested, is equivalent to the maximum standard rate of their unemployment payment. Participants retain their entitlement to secondary benefit and also qualify for a £150 book allowance.

No study has been carried out on the impact this scheme will have on VTOS. The question of bringing the rate of training allowance payable to VTOS participants into line with that paid for the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs back to education allowance scheme is currently being considered in my Department.