Vol. 509 No. 1
321 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason persons in receipt of disability benefit do not receive £25 on VTOS courses, while those in receipt of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance do; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19941/99]
The vocational training opportunities scheme – VTOS – was established in 1989 with the objective of providing second chance education and training opportunities for unemployed adults over the age of 21 and in receipt of an unemployment payment for at least six months. In 1998, the 10 per cent quota which limited participation of lone parents, people in receipt of disability payments, and dependant spouses of people eligible to join VTOS was removed.
In April of this year a training bonus of £25 per week was introduced for FÁS participants who were registered as long-term unemployed prior to starting their programme. This allowance was later approved for eligible VTOS participants. The bonus was introduced as an incentive to encourage greater participation of the long-term unemployed in education and training programmes.
Disability benefit is a payment made to insured people who are unable to work due to illness. This payment is not means tested and usually short term. Disability benefit is not a qualifying payment for the purpose of paying the £25 training bonus either to VTOS or FÁS course participants.
