Richard Bruton
Ceist:740 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost of extending vocational training opportunity schemes to persons aged 65 and over; and if he will extend VTOS to cover this age category. [25910/01]
Written Answers. - Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme.
The vocational training opportunities scheme is operated through the 33 vocational education committees. It has 5,000 approved places with a current annual running cost of approximately £32 million. Its purpose is to provide educational opportunities for unemployed people, mainly those on the live register, in order to enhance their prospects of employment. As the scheme was specifically designed to address the needs of those who are unemployed there are no plans at present to extend it to those over 65 and as demand for places from people who are currently eligible to join VTOS exceeds supply the admission of new categories of participant to the scheme would not be appropriate at present.
There are no age barriers governing free participation on full-time post Leaving Certificate courses for those who wish to do so. Neither will there be any upper age limit for participation in the back to education initiative announced in the White Paper on Adult Education, which will provide for the availability of part-time options under Youthreach, post leaving certificate courses and the VTOS. In the case of older people admission may be free or for a reduced fee, depending on means and educational attainment.