Vol. 535 No. 1
649 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the training bonus of £25 has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who is on a vocational training opportunities scheme course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11899/01]
In April 1999, a training bonus of £25 per week was introduced for FÁS participants who were long-term unemployed, that is, in receipt of unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance for at least 12 months before commencing a FÁS training course. This allowance was later approved for VTOS participants who have been in receipt of an eligible social welfare payment for at least 12 months prior to starting VTOS.
The bonus was introduced as an incentive to encourage greater participation of long-term unemployed people in education and training programmes. The person referred to by the Deputy is not in receipt of an unemployment payment, and is not eligible for the £25 bonus.
