Vol. 509 No. 6
647 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain persons are in receipt of 60p per day for some VTOS courses (details supplied); if he has satisfied himself in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21840/99]
The vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS, was established in 1989 with the objective of providing second-chance education and training opportunities for unemployed adults over the age of 21 and in receipt of an unemployment payment for at least six months. Participants in VTOS cease to receive unemployment payments and are paid training allowances of at least an equivalent amount. They are also paid travelling expenses, where they reside three miles from the centre, and a meal allowance of 60 pence a day. The travel and meal allowances are in line with those payable by FÁS.
While the scheme is primarily for those who are unemployed, people in receipt of disability allowance and dependent spouses of people eligible to join VTOS may also enrol. The person to whom the Deputy refers in the question is a dependent spouse and, as such, was not in receipt of unemployment payment. She is not, therefore, entitled to a training allowance and the only VTOS allowance for which she is eligible is the meal allowance.
