Vol. 529 No. 4
231 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding available in Westmeath for vocational training opportunities scheme projects for each of the past five years; the number of participants who took part in these schemes; the number of tutors for that period; and the unit cost per student per year. [2945/01]
A total of £2,059,758 was allocated to County Westmeath VEC in the last five years for vocational training opportunities scheme projects. This comprises tuition costs, training allowances for VTOS students and grants for books and materials, described as non-pay. The figure given for the year 2000 is provisional.
|
Year |
Allowances (£) |
Non-Pay (£) |
Pay (£) |
Total (£) |
|
2000 |
306,628 |
65,000 |
159,028 |
530,656 |
|
1999 |
260,721 |
50,998 |
123,018 |
434,737 |
|
1998 |
198,286 |
47,696 |
109,871 |
355,853 |
|
1997 |
210,687 |
49,667 |
110,627 |
370,981 |
|
1996 |
223,168 |
42,581 |
101,782 |
367,531 |
|
Total |
1,199,490 |
255,942 |
604,326 |
2,059,758 |
|
Year |
No. of Students |
|
2000 |
88 |
|
1999 |
75 |
|
1998 |
63 |
|
1997 |
49 |
|
1996 |
71 |
|
Academic Year Sept-June |
No. of Tutors |
Co-Ordinators |
|
1996/1997 |
20 |
2 |
|
1997/1998 |
15 |
2 |
|
1998/1999 |
47 |
2 |
|
1999/2000 |
22 |
2 |
|
2000/2001 |
19 |
2 |
232 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that the level of funding for vocational training opportunities scheme projects was set in 1989 at £15,000 for each group of 20 students; if this funding has been increased in the intervening 12 years; his views on whether overhead costs and expenses have greatly increased in the intervening period; and the plans he has to increase this level of funding. [2946/01]
243 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if his department will take steps to substantially increase the financial allocation paid yearly for each group of 20 participants in the vocational training opportunities scheme, which has remained at £15,000 since 1989; and if his attention has been drawn to the significant increase in running costs in the interim; his views on whether the vocational training opportunities scheme has been successful, and merits a significant increase in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3037/01]
251 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide for a doubling of VTOS grants to allow for quality second chance education through these courses. [3094/01]
259 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is insufficient finance to run a VTOs scheme under the auspices of County Laois VEC; and if he will take steps to resolve the problem at the earliest opportunity. [3102/01]
271 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure the provision of adequate resources to facilitate the continuation of VTOS at Scoil Eoin Phóil, Greenlane, Leixlip, County Kildare and other locations, to assist Kildare VEC and the community in the provision of courses; if he will substantially increase the function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3207/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 232, 243, 251, 259 and 271 together.
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 3 miles from the centre) and a meal allowance in line with those payable by FÁS.
About 5,000 people participate annually on the vocational training opportunities scheme at an overall annual cost to the State of £32 million. The vocational training opportunities scheme has proved successful in opening up learning and progression opportunities for people who have been marginalised by unemployment. For each of the years 1994 to 2000, the percentage of participants who completed the programme and who progressed to work or further education was 70% or more.
The £15,000 referred to in the questions represents the amount of grant paid by my Department to vocational education committees in respect of each group of 20 students. It covers expenditure on such items as light, heat, rent, books and equipment and other general expenses.
The VTOS non-pay element of funding of £15,000 per core group of 20 students has remained unchanged since 1989. I am aware that costs generally have increased since then. Because of limitations on resources, it has not so far been found possible to correspondingly increase the grant. However, improvements have been made in the resources available for VTOS students. A training bonus of £25 per week was introduced in September 1999 for participants who were registered as long-term unemployed prior to starting their programme, i.e. 12 months, as an incentive to encourage greater participation of the long-term unemployed in education and training programmes.
A scheme of grants for child care for VTOS students was introduced in 1998 in order to facilitate the attendance of people who would otherwise be prevented from doing so by child care responsibilities. An adult educational guidance service has been initiated on a pilot basis, and a new management structure has been developed for the programme.
