asked the Minister for Education if the European Social Fund is being paid to students in secondary and VEC schools this year; and if she will give an indication as to the date of payment.
Written Answers - European Social Fund.
218.
Under the terms of the Department's vocational preparation and training programme, special training allowances are paid to participants monthly, in arrears. While some delays have occurred, I understand that, aside from the participants in programmes operated by schools located in the administrative area of the City of Dublin VEC, payments have been made in accordance with the terms of the scheme. In this context the Deputy will be aware that it is a matter for each VEC to order its priorities to ensure the early payment of the allowances in question.
On the basis of information at present available to me, I am in a position to assure the Deputy that student grants will be paid before Christmas.