Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the level of demand for VTOS placement; the additional places that will be available in 2007; the basis on which the VTOS education and training opportunities will expand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10918/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Vocational Training and Opportunities Scheme is a second-chance education and training programme available to people who are over 21 years of age and in receipt of certain Social Welfare payments, especially people who are long-term unemployed. The objective of the Scheme is to enhance their prospects of employment.

The Scheme is funded by my Department and is delivered locally by Vocational Education Committees (VECs) at 104 centres throughout the country. Regulations governing the Scheme restrict the number of places to be filled annually to 5,000 places nationwide. Each VEC is authorised to fill a number of places. The VECs are the recipients of applications for enrolment. In cases where demand for places exceeds supply, VECs select the successful applicants. Accordingly, the records of my Department do not quantify the demand for VTOS places. I am, however, aware that overall demand outstrips supply.

There are no plans at present to expand the scheme or increase the number of places. It is important to note that VTOS is just one of a number of Further Education programmes available to adults. In all, approximately 100,000 adults are participating in these State-funded programmes.