Vol. 489 No. 5
56 Mr. P. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will increase the training allowance to community training workshop trainees who are over 18 years of age by approximately £30 per week to create a significant differential between training allowances and social welfare payments as an incentive to remain on in a training environment to prepare them for work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8470/98]
The determination of the level of training allowances payable to community training workshop trainees is a matter for FÁS, and I have no statutory function in relation thereto.
From inquiries I have made with FÁS, however, I understand that CTW trainees aged 18 years and over receive the same allowance as trainees on all other FÁS training programmes. I further understand that the level of these allowances is reviewed regularly, but that there is no evidence to suggest that the current level acts as a disincentive to young people to avail of training opportunities.
