Micheál Martin
Ceist:167 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if she will lower the age of eligibility for vocational training opportunity schemes (VTOS) to 18; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8831/97]
Written Answers - VTOS Eligibility.
The vocational training opportunity scheme was established in 1989 to cater specifically for people over 21 years of age and classified as being long-term unemployed. It was on this basis the EU financial support was obtained.
The main aim of the scheme is to provide a second chance education opportunity to long-term unemployed people who have demonstrated through the signing on process that they are unemployed and seeking employment. In this context the EU is most anxious that the older segment of the unemployed population should be catered for.
Because of the focus of the vocational training opportunity scheme on the long-term unemployed, it is regretted that it is not possible to reduce the minimum age requirement.
The position regarding eligibility for the scheme will, however, be kept under review.