Vol. 531 No. 5
135 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals he has to extend the £25 training allowance paid to those on VTOS courses to those who are signing on for credited contributions with the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6323/01]
In April 1999 a training bonus of £25 per week was introduced for FÁS participants who were registered as long-term unemployed prior to starting their programme, that is, at least 12 months. This allowance was later approved for eligible VTOS participants, including those in receipt of an unemployment payment, one-parent family payment or disability payment, who have been in receipt of their payment for at least 12 months prior to starting VTOS. The bonus was introduced as an incentive to encourage greater participation of long-term unemployed people in education and training programmes. There are no plans at present to alter the terms and conditions of this bonus payment.
