Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 831: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has input into payments of the national learning network scheme; if so, her plans in regard to increasing the weekly payments from the present level of €31.80 per five day week from 9 am to 3 p.m. for participants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14399/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The National Learning Network is Ireland's largest non-Government training organisation, with more than 50 purpose-built training and employment units nationwide, catering for over 4,500 students each year. Its objective is to assist people at a disadvantage in the labour market to learn the skills they need to build lasting careers in jobs that reflect their interests and abilities.

A partnership arrangement between the National Learning Network and the City of Dublin Vocational Educational Committee offers a wide range of supports to students with disabilities in eight VEC Colleges of Further Education in Dublin. A Training Bonus of €31.80 per week is payable to the following categories of people who were on, or commenced, a FÁS training course on or after 19 April 1999:

Persons in receipt of Jobseeker Benefit or Jobseeker Allowance for 12 months or more; or Persons who progress to FÁS training having completed a minimum of 12 months on a Community Employment programme; or Persons who progress to FÁS training having completed a minimum of 12 months on the Job Initiative programme; or Disabled persons not in receipt of Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension. I do not have input into payments under the National Learning Network Scheme. I understand that this is a matter for FÁS.