John Browne
Question:156 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will have considerations made into increasing the number of VTOS places in view of the demand for extra places in 2000. [21235/00]
Written Answers. - Vocational Education.
There are currently 5,000 approved places for the vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS. Until now, this figure has met the overall demand on a national level, but in a number of locations demands are emerging for the provision of additional places. At this stage all 5,000 places for the academic year 2000-01 have been allocated, and unfilled places in other centres have been redeployed to meet emerging needs. My Department is currently examining the revised uptake for 2000-01 in all 33 vocational education committees at the beginning of October to see whether a further re-distribution is feasible. Initial feedback is that demand is high.
The back to education initiative, as set out in the recent White Paper on Adult Education, Learning for Life, proposes to expand VTOS, Youthreach, PLC and senior Traveller training programmes on a part-time basis. The intention is that this initiative will address the increase in demand for places, and provide flexibility in provision of programmes to meet the demands of adults wishing to return to education and training. A working group is at present finalising the details for administration of the initiative so that it will become operational by the end of the year.