Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if and when funds will be made available for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33596/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person in question completed a vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS, course in computer studies over the two year period from 2001 to 2003 in Coláiste Íde, Finglas. Tuition on that course was provided free of charge, as were books and materials.

He subsequently undertook a course involving the European computer driving licence, for which there were no course or examination fees, and an evening course to train participants to teach computer studies, which was called the joint education board, JEB. This programme was part of City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee, CDVEC, self-financing evening programmes. CDVEC has discretion to waive fees for such courses and did so in his case. However, as he was unsuccessful in the examinations, he repeated the course the following year. Fees were payable for this. Inquiries have been made with the CDVEC which has advised that funds will not be made available for a repeat year for the JEB programme.