Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 2

Written Answers. - Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme.

Richard Bruton

Question:

128 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for excluding persons who are on disability allowance from the VTOS bonus introduced in 1999 in view of the Government's commitment to equal opportunity for persons with a disability. [3796/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

In 1999 a training bonus of £25 per week was introduced for participants in FÁS courses who were registered as long-term unemployed prior to starting their programme, i.e. 12 months. This allowance was later approved for eligible participants in the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme – VTOS. The bonus was introduced as an incentive to encourage greater participation of the long-term unemployed in education and training programmes.

People with disability allowances who are on VTOS are entitled to the £25 bonus if they have been unemployed for the required period prior to starting their course. These participants continue to receive their payment from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. The Department of Education and Science, through the vocational education committee, pays the bonus.

In order to benefit, the participants concerned need to produce evidence that they have been in receipt of the relevant disability allowance for at least one year prior to starting their course.