Vol. 542 No. 5
474 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if persons who are in categories eligible for part-time back to education options will be eligible for a book allowance and allowances towards other items of cost directly related to their participation in the course. [25160/01]
The back to education initiative, BTEI, will provide for a significant expansion of part- time options under Youthreach, the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme and post-leaving certificate courses, with a particular emphasis on promoting a return to learning of people with less than upper secondary education. The BTEI will be introduced in the current academic year. On the basis of their personal circumstances, some of the participants in the programme will be liable for the full fee, others a reduced fee and the remainder will be exempt from fees. Those exempt from fees will include persons and their dependants who have medical cards, are unemployed, are in receipt of a means-tested welfare payment, or family income supplement. Participants entitled to free access will also be eligible for free books. However, the continued payment of welfare allowances for participants on part time programmes will be subject to the discretion of the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
