Vol. 470 No. 5
108 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has satisfied himself regarding the level of information available to people in receipt of unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance in relation to the back-to-work allowance and second chance adult education; the range of schemes currently in place; and if he will consider the introduction of an information pack in this regard. [19529/96]
The back-to-work allowance scheme and the education initiatives administered by my Department have proved enormously successful in helping people return to work or to improve their vocational skills. The range of employment supports include the back-to-work allowance, family income supplement, continuation of child dependant payments for 13 weeks after returning to work and the retention of secondary benefits. Second-chance education options include the vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS, and the third level allowance. There are also second level and part-time education options for people who may not be able to access VTOS locally or wish to undertake foundation courses, including literacy training, before advancing to a higher level.
These schemes have been widely advertised and promoted by my Department, primarily through the network of job facilitators working at local level to ensure that unemployed people and lone parents are fully informed of the options available. The job facilitators work closely with other agencies such as FÁS, local employment service, area partnerships and many voluntary organisations in providing information, advice and guidance in relation to employment supports.
Information leaflets are also available on each of the schemes concerned. Advertisements are placed from time to time in national and local media and the schemes are regularly highlighted through information events such as the back-to-work exhibition held earlier this year.
