Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 463: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to increase the number of places on the back to education initiative to 10,000 and expand the vocational training opportunities scheme. [18434/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) provides part-time Further Education programmes for adults to give them an opportunity to combine a return to learning with family, work and other responsibilities. Programmes are offered on a part-time basis, in the mornings, afternoons, evenings or at weekends.

There is a commitment in the programme for government to expand the number of BTEI places to 10,000. 1,000 additional BTEI places were allocated in 2007 bringing the number of BTEI places to 9,000. Funding has been made available in 2008 for an additional 500 places.

Since its inception, funding for the BTEI has increased from just over €6m in 2002 to €18m in 2007. BTEI eligibility criteria were amended to allow free tuition to any adult with less than upper second level education with effect from 1st September 2007. Originally only people with a social welfare entitlement or medical card were entitled to free fees.

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme provides a full-time education option for people who are over 21 years of age and in receipt of certain social welfare payments. The Government remains committed to increase the number of places on VTOS as outlined in the Programme for Government.