Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1396: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the VTOS training bonus requirements to include time spent on FÁS programmes as counting towards the twelve month eligibility requirements for the weekly VTOS training bonus of €31.80; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29739/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) provides full-time second-chance education and training opportunities for unemployed adults who are at least 21 years of age and in receipt of specific social welfare payments for at least six months (156 days) directly prior to the course commencement date. The scheme is funded by my Department and operated through the 33 Vocational Education Committees (VECs).

A training bonus of €31.80 per week is paid to students who have been in receipt of their social welfare payment for at least 12 months (312) directly before joining VTOS. The bonus was introduced as an incentive to encourage greater participation of long-term unemployed people to join education and training programmes. Time spent on FÁS does not count towards this eligibility requirement. I have no plans to change the eligibility requirements for this bonus at the present time.