Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 165: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in respect of flexibility for adults returning to education, she will make arrangements to consider applicants for VTOS courses who have not been in a position to sign on for unemployment assistance for a six month period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8521/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) was introduced in 1989 to encourage people in receipt of unemployment payments to return to education and training. VTOS courses are full-time and can last up to two years.

Over the following years, the Scheme was opened up to people in receipt of other payments, such as single parent allowances and illness benefit, disability allowance and invalidity pension. The requirement of a six month minimal qualifying period continued to apply.

There are currently 5,000 approved places for the Scheme. As the programme was designed for long-term unemployed people who have had minimal or no qualifications, and as demand for places at present exceeds supply, there are no plans to change the qualifying conditions for VTOS.

It is open to persons who wish to return to education who are not eligible to enrol on the VTOS to apply for a place on the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI). The BTEI provides part-time Further Education programmes for young people and adults. The aim is to give participants an opportunity to combine a return to learning with family, work and other responsibilities.