Written answers

Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Department of Education and Science

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme

8:00 pm

Photo of Tom HayesTom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 900: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there are plans to increase the travel and lunch allowance for people who have to travel to attend VTOS courses as in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [36097/07]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 915: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the rates of subsistence available to participants of the vocational training opportunities scheme; the rate that was available to participants for each year since 2000; her plans to increase the levels; her views on the levels of subsistence provided to participants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1085/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 900 and 915 together.

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is a second chance education initiative, which is funded by my Department, for unemployed persons who are at least 21 years of age and in receipt of certain social welfare payments for at least six months. It is operated through the Vocational Education Committees. The aim of the Scheme is to give unemployed people education and training opportunities which will develop and prepare them to go into paid employment, or on to further education opportunities leading to paid employment.

A training allowance is paid by the VECs to students who were previously on Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance. The student ceases to receive a social welfare payment and, instead, receives a VTOS training allowance at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate of Jobseekers Benefit, plus payment for an adult or child dependant, if appropriate. VTOS students also retain their social welfare secondary benefits.

The allowances for VTOS students for meals and travel referred to in the question are equivalent to those paid to participants on FÁS training courses. VTOS students may be entitled to a travel allowance if they reside more than 3 miles from a centre. These allowances are increased periodically in line with increases in FÁS rates. There are no plans to increase them in the near future. The rates since 2000 are outlined below:

2002 to date (Euro adjustment of previous rate):

3-5 miles €4.60;

5-10 miles €11.90;

10-20 miles €17.60;

20-30 miles €21.60;

30-40 miles €27.70 and 40-50 miles €32.60.

The meal allowance is €0.80 per day.

2000-2002:

3-5 miles IR£3.60;

5-10 miles IR£9.30;

10-20 miles IR£13.80;

20-30 miles IR£17.00;

30-40 miles IR£21.80 and 40-50 miles IR£25.60.

The meal allowance was IR£0.60 per day.

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