Finian McGrath
Ceist:358 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a matter (details supplied). [14082/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 7 April 2009
Ceisteanna (358)
Freagraí scríofa
The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) provides full-time second-chance education and training opportunities for unemployed adults who are over the age of 21 and in receipt of specified social welfare payments for at least six months. VTOS is funded by my Department and operated through the 33 Vocational Education Committees (VECs). Its primary target groups are the longer-term unemployed, the low-skilled and disadvantaged.
In relation to the issue raised in the letter referred to by the Deputy, there are currently 5,000 approved places on VTOS nationwide. VTOS places are allocated to VECs on an annual basis and it is a matter for VECs to allocate those places to their colleges and institutions. Due to the difficult budgetary position it was not possible to allocate further funding to increase the number of places this year. Any possible future expansion of VTOS would have to take account of the present and prospective economic and budgetary context and related financial constraints.