Ivan Yates
Ceist:515 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will clarify details of the back to education allowance scheme to be introduced in 1998; if a study has been carried out on the impact this will have on existing VTOS courses whereby there are more attractive terms for people to avail of the scheme; if, in view of this, he will, in conjunction with the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, arrange that there would be absolute parity between the two schemes so that the VTOS structure and experience and skills built up over the last 12 years will not be made redundant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12159/98]