Further Education and Training Programmes Places

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 December 2012

Wednesday, 12 December 2012

Questions (88)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

88. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons currently in receipt of training allowances under further education and training programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55875/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Training allowances are paid to participants on FÁS, Youthreach and VTOS programmes. A small number of pro-rata training allowances are also paid to learners on the part-time Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) programme.As at the end of November 2012 there are approximately 15,000 persons on FÁS courses currently in receipt of a training allowance. Over the year as a whole 47,000 people received training allowances while on FAS courses.The latest available figures for Youthreach and VTOS come from the Learners Surveys of 31 December 2011. These show 4,211 VTOS learners and 3,159 Youthreach learners were in receipt of a training allowance. These figures are expected to be replicated this year.Additionally, in 2012, 227 learners on the BTEI programme received a training allowance.