Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I welcome this opportunity to set out the important part played by the vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS, and the institutes of technology in the delivery of skills and training to Ireland's workforce. The VTOS programme is funded by the Government and delivered locally by VECs. It plays an important role, recognises that some people need a second chance at education and training and provides courses of up to two years' duration for unemployed people.

The scheme has proved to be extremely successful. VTOS progression statistics for 2007 show that where a course was of two years' duration, approximately 72% of participants who completed the programme in that year had progressed to either employment or further education and training. Just over 28% returned to either the live register or their original status. People aged 21 or over and in receipt of jobseekers benefit or assistance, the one-parent family payment, disability allowance, disability benefit, invalidity pension etc., for at least six months are eligible for VTOS. Those signing for credits who satisfy these conditions and the dependant spouses of eligible persons may also avail of the programme.

Persons on unemployment assistance or benefit receive a payment from the VEC in lieu of their welfare payment, equivalent to the maximum rate of unemployment benefit. It is important to set out details of the scheme because it often goes unnoticed by those in most need. Many Members who meet people at their constituency offices are often somewhat surprised that they are not aware of the programme. In the remaining cases, persons attending full-time retain their welfare payment. That is an important aspect and I hope it will continue to be the case. In order to attract long-term unemployed people, a bonus of €31.80 per week is payable to participants who have been in receipt of an eligible social welfare payment for at least one year immediately prior to starting VTOS.

The scheme has proved to be a great success in opening up learning and progression opportunities for people who have been marginalised by unemployment. Progression will be more difficult for many of these individuals in light of the changed economic circumstances in which we find ourselves. Those who are highly skilled and who may lose their jobs will obviously take up positions that might otherwise have been used for progression purposes. We will be obliged to work harder in order to ensure that further positions become available.

The investment in ancillary supports is reflected in the increased non-pay expenditure, up from €34 million in 2002 to €45 million in 2007. Overall expenditure on VTOS, including the pay of teaching staff, participant allowances and other non-pay costs was just under €70 million last year. That is a considerable investment and it has gone unnoticed as the debate on the motion has progressed.

Institutes of technology programmes have traditionally been developed with strong industry input and the institutes continue to engage with their graduates' employers to ensure that the relevance of their programmes is maintained. This is critical because institutes offer higher education programmes of shorter duration than would be typical of those offered in universities and the curricula have a practical orientation designed to be responsive to the needs of local industries and smaller business interests.

The institutes of technology are developing a project which aims to bring about the creation of a flexible learning network. The proposal, which addresses lifelong learning and upskilling needs, involves partnerships between all 13 institutes and the DIT. Reference is often made to the notion of joined-up thinking, whether it be on the part of the Government or among particular groups or elements of industry that operate in broadly similar areas. It is extremely important that such thinking be to the fore in the partnership to which I refer. In keeping with current Government and market needs, it is essential that there be a commitment to mainstreaming supported flexible learning within and among the institutes as an innovative and complementary mode of delivery. This flexible learning system aims to expand the number of people in the workforce engaged in education and development through increased access to and participation in higher education using flexible learning methods. It is intended to develop, pilot and expand programmes and modules that will assist in supporting lifelong learning, increase opportunities to engage in lifelong learning for members of the workforce and expand the overall participation rates in such learning.

Annual returns to the HEA suggest that the overall number of vacant places in universities and colleges is decreasing and that, in a number of cases, CAO points requirements have also dropped. An increasing number of students are now opting to enrol on higher level programmes, such those at level 8 of the national qualifications framework.

When one considers the overall picture, it is clear the Government has a strong involvement in the developments taking place in this area.

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