Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 417: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number and percentage of course participants who are in receipt of a VTOS training bonus of €31.80 in view of the fact that they were in receipt of an eligible payment for 12 months directly before the VTOS commencement date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44792/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is a second-chance education initiative, 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 (156 days). It is operated through the Vocational Education Committees (VECs). 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 previously drew unemployment benefit or assistance. The student ceases to receive an unemployment payment and instead receives a VTOS training allowance at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate of unemployment benefit, plus a payment for an adult or child dependant, if appropriate. VTOS students also retain their social welfare secondary benefits.

A training bonus of €31.80 per week is paid to students who have been in receipt of their social welfare payment for at least 12 months (312 days) directly before joining VTOS. The bonus was introduced as an incentive to encourage greater participation of long-term unemployed people to join education and training programmes.

Based on statistics compiled on 1 January 2008 approximately 3,459 VTOS students or 64% of students were in receipt of this training bonus payment.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 418: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will clarify if time spent on a FÁS programme can count towards the 312 day-12 month requirement for the VTOS training bonus of €31.80; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44793/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is a second-chance education initiative for unemployed persons who are at least 21 years of age and in receipt of certain social welfare payments for at least six months (156 days) funded by my Department. It is operated through the Vocational Education Committees (VECs). 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 previously drew unemployment benefit or assistance. The student ceases to receive an unemployment payment and instead receives a VTOS training allowance at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate of unemployment benefit, plus a payment for an adult or child dependant, if appropriate. VTOS students also retain their social welfare secondary benefits.

A training bonus of €31.80 per week is paid to students who have been in receipt of their social welfare payment for at least 12 months (312 days) directly before joining VTOS. The bonus was introduced as an incentive to encourage greater participation of long-term unemployed people to join education and training programmes. Time spent on FÁS programmes does not count towards this eligibility requirement.