Vol. 564 No. 5
161 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if VTOS applications are still being processed through his Department, in order to enable those entitled to training allowance and child care since September 2002 to receive same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9617/03]
The vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS, which is operated by vocational education committees and funded by my Department, is open to adults aged 21 or over, who have been in receipt of an eligible social welfare payment for at least six months. Eligible payments consist of unemployment assistance/benefit, one-parent family payments, disability assistance/ benefit, invalidity pension, widow/widower's pension, deserted wife's allowance/benefit. Those signing for credits and dependent spouses of the above are also eligible.
VTOS participants who have been in receipt of unemployment assistance or unemployment benefit receive a training allowance from the VEC in lieu of their social welfare entitlement. Other allowances such as one-parent family payments or disability payments continue to be paid by the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
A training bonus of €31.80 is payable to those who have been in receipt of one of the eligible social welfare payments for at least 12 months (312 days) prior to the course commencement date. Grants for the provision of childcare for VTOS students were introduced in 1998.
Some 6,000 part-time places have been provided in the further education sector this academic year under a new back to education initiative which is aimed at providing flexible learning opportunities for those in employment, unemployed or not in the labour market. Provision is free for medical card holders, the unemployed and those in receipt of means-tested welfare payments, and their dependants; there is a reduced charge for other unwaged people with less than upper secondary education, and the remainder pay fees.
