Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 638: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to increase the non-pay budget for VTOS programmes in view of the fact that it has not been increased since 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33099/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The question of providing for increases in the VTOS non-pay budget will be considered in the light of the Estimates provision for 2006 for further education. It should be noted that my Department has provided a non-pay supplement towards the cost of rent each year since 2001. The total supplement given to VECs who have incurred rental costs in respect of the VTOS programme for 2005 is just under €1 million. For many VECs, this supplement represents a substantial contribution towards their non-pay costs.