Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 1

Written Answers. - Vocational Opportunities Training Scheme.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

152 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reasons entry to a vocational training opportunities scheme course is confined to persons who are unemployed for six months or longer; the plans he has to relax such qualifying criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8428/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

There are currently 5,000 approved places for the vocational training opportunities scheme. The courses are full time and can last up to two years. The VTOS programme was designed for long-term unemployed people who have minimal or no qualifications. Tuition, books and materials are free, and participants are paid an allowance in lieu of welfare entitlements.

While demand for VTOS places at present exceeds supply, it is a matter of some concern that it has not attracted many older, longer-term unemployed people. In an effort to address this, a study has been commissioned by my Department to identify and report on the outreach, recruitment, delivery and support strategies which would be likely to attract older longer-term unemployed people, that is people who are over 35 years of age and have been on the live register for over six months, of whom there were 69,000 in April 1999. Pending experience of the effectiveness of these strategies, there are no plans at present to alter the VTOS eligibility criteria.

The back to education initiative as set out in the recent White Paper on Adult Education "Learning for Life" will provide for part-time options across the vocational training opportunities scheme, Youthreach, and post leaving certificate programmes aimed at young people, adults and those in employment. The intention is that this new 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. Under the programme, tuition will be free for holders of medical cards, unemployment payments, means tested welfare payments or family income supplement, but the continuation of a welfare payment will be subject to the discretion of the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. There will be a reduced fee for other unwaged people with less than upper second level education, and the remaining participants will be charged fees.