Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1489: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has support to offer to a person who lost their job over the summer and has enrolled in a further education course; and if in view of the present crisis, rules will be relaxed in terms of waiting periods and parental dependency to allow such persons take up the best option with the lowest ultimate cost to the State. [1153/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department will continue to ensure that there are a wide range of course options available in Further Education for people who wish to continue their studies after second-level or return to education later in life. The priority target group of Further Education programmes generally is those who are educationally disadvantaged and who lack basic skills.

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), funded by my Department and operated through the 33 Vocational Education Committees (VECs), provides full-time education and training opportunities for adults who are over the age of 21 and in receipt of specific social welfare payments. There are 5,000 places on the VTOS.

It is also open to persons who wish to return to education who are not eligible to enrol on a VTOS programme to apply for a place on the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI). The BTEI provides part-time programmes for young people and adults and is free to anyone, including unemployed persons, with less than upper second level education. It gives those who wish to return to education an opportunity to combine their 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.

If the Deputy wishes to supply further detail about the circumstances of this case I will have it examined by my officials.