Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 December 2012
87. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills how he can justify a cut to training allowances for young persons in the vocational training opportunities scheme, Youthreach and FÁS at a time when he is meant to be encouraging persons to upskill and help them with the costs of accessing further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55874/12]
View answerPersons on Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), Youthreach and FAS programmes are paid a training allowance in lieu of their Department of Social Protection payment. Currently learners on these programmes who are in receipt of a Jobseekers allowance which is less than the maximum personal rate of €188 per week can have their training allowances increased to the maximum rate.This practise favoured those who were assessed as having means which lead to a reduction in their Jobseekers Allowance payment. The maxing up of the training allowance allowed them to receive the maximum of this payment while on a training course. Learners who did not have means and were already on the maximum of the Jobseekers Allowance could not benefit from this. This lead to an inequitable situation which has been addressed in Budget 2013.The new arrangement will come into force for all new entrants with effect from 1 January 2013. An exception to this will apply to those learners under 25 who will have their payment increased to a maximum of €160 per week.This is being introduced to continue providing an incentive to young people to take up further education and training places.Those learners on the VTOS, Youthreach and FÁS training schemes will continue to be eligible for Meal, Travel and Accommodation Allowances. They may also be eligible for the long term bonus if they are more than a year unemployed.
