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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 31 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 9

Written Answers. - VPT Courses.

Theresa Ahearn

Ceist:

193 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education the steps, if any, he intends taking to remove the anomaly whereby students who are pursuing VPT courses are forced to leave school on reaching 18 years, so as to receive social welfare payments; if it is his intention to grant-aid these courses to enable those from low income families to remain in school, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I have had no complaints that trainees are being forced to leave VPT courses on reaching the age of 18 nor are they required to do so under any rules operated by my Department.

Participants on such courses do not receive training allowances but they are entitled to free tuition. In addition, a grant is paid by my Department to schools participating in the free education scheme towards the cost of books for necessitous students.

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