Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 495: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to restructure the VTOS training scheme; if she plans to review the content of the courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3849/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS, is a second chance education and training programme of up to two years duration, for adults aged 21 years and older who have been unemployed for at least six months. The scheme is one element of my Department's provision for further and adult education, delivered by the vocational education committees. Course content is decided upon by the VECs in response to participant and local needs. The scheme is education-led, vocationally-oriented and progression-focused. Courses offered concentrate on the development of participants' employment-related skills, including technological and business skills, as well as personal and social skills. Certification is available at a range of levels, including the junior and leaving certificates, and levels 3, 4 and 5 on the national framework of qualifications.

I have no plans to restructure the scheme at the present time.