Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 7

Written Answers. - VTOS Students.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

98 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to address the anomaly whereby VTO scheme students, who have undertaken full-time courses of up to two years on the basis of being best suited to their educational needs and likely to maximise their chances of employment, are given an allowance which is less than that which they would receive if they were engaged on a FÁS course; the number of students who have been in contact with him in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12793/99]

John Browne

Question:

328 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether there is any disparity in the decision to award £25 to long-term unemployed doing FÁS training courses while persons doing VTOS schemes have not received any increase; and the plans, if any, he has to bring equality into play. [12710/99]

Liam Aylward

Question:

329 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve the same increase to students participating on VTOS as was recently approved to participants on FÁS training schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12763/99]

Michael Ring

Question:

330 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if the VTOS benefit for students will be increased in line with the FÁS training allowance increase of £25 per week in view of the fact many VTOS student feel discriminated against and marginalised when compared to those on FÁS courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12866/99]

Phil Hogan

Question:

343 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to allow parity of allowance to students on VTO and FÁS training schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12605/99]

Brendan Howlin

Question:

355 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that FÁS trainees receive a weekly allowance which is £25 more than that paid to VTOS course participants; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that VTOS trainees regard this discrepancy as unfair and discriminatory; the steps, if any, he will take to harmonise the allowances payable to FÁS and VTOS trainees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12706/99]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

360 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to increase the payment for those participating on VTOS in line with the recent £25 per week increase for training allowance paid to participants on FÁS training programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12758/99]

Michael Finucane

Question:

370 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that VTOS students feel discriminated against in view of the fact the training allowance paid to them is not comparable to the allowance paid to FÁS trainees; and if he will end this form of discrimination. [12915/99]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

383 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason VTOS students are not remunerated to the same extent as those on other training schemes; the consideration, if any, which will be given to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13050/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 328, 329, 330, 343, 355, 360, 370 and 383 together.

I am aware of the importance of equality of treatment in terms of training allowances on various schemes so that participants can make a free choice as to which programme best meets their needs. The House will be aware that the rates of allowances on VTOS and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs back to education allowance schemes were equalised in 1998.

With effect from 26 April 1999 an additional £25 per week is payable to participants on FÁS courses who were registered as long-term unemployed prior to starting their programme. I am examining how best the situationvis a vis VTOS can be addressed. In addition, the terms of VTOS will be reviewed shortly in the context of a consultancy study currently being undertaken with a view to making the scheme more effective in reaching those who are most marginalised.

The representations received on this matter do not specify the status of the signatories.