Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2008
600 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the average cost of funding a place on the vocational training opportunities scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32349/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is a second chance education initiative which is funded by my Department for unemployed persons who are at least 21 years of age and in receipt of certain social welfare payments for at least six months. It is operated through the Vocational Education Committees. The aim of the Scheme is to give unemployed people education and training opportunities which will develop and prepare them to go into paid employment, or on to further education opportunities leading to paid employment.
A training allowance is paid by the VECs to students who previously drew unemployment benefit or assistance. The student ceases to receive an unemployment payment and, instead, receives a VTOS training allowance at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate of unemployment benefit, plus a payment for an adult or child dependant, if appropriate. VTOS students also retain their social welfare secondary benefits. In 2007, expenditure on the pay of teaching staff, participant allowances and other non-pay costs for the VTOS programme was €68.3 million. There are 5,000 approved places on VTOS, giving an average cost of €13,660 per place.
