Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1056: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the assistance available from his Department or agencies operating under the aegis of his Department regarding financial assistance for retraining and upskilling of those who have become unemployed in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11212/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds a number of further education programmes that provide retraining and upskilling options for the unemployed. These are both full-time and part-time and are delivered through the Vocational Education Committees (VECs).

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is a second-chance education initiative for persons who are at least 21 years of age and more than six months unemployed. VTOS aims to give participants 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.

VTOS participants are paid a training allowance in lieu of their previous qualifying social welfare payment and retain their social welfare secondary benefits. A training bonus is paid to participants who have been in receipt of their social welfare payment for at least 12 months directly before joining VTOS. Participants are entitled to a meal allowance and a travel allowance if they reside more than three miles from a centre. They are also entitled to child support. They benefit from free tuition, books, materials and access to the VEC adult guidance service.

VECs also provide Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses. The PLC programme is a full time programme for students who have completed their leaving Certificate and for adults returning to education. PLC participants may be eligible for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). The BTEA is administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and is a second chance educational opportunities scheme payable to people on welfare payments who wish to participate in full time education. To qualify for the BTEA an applicant must be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for a minimum period.

The BTEA is paid at a standard weekly rate equivalent to the maximum rate of the relevant social welfare payment that qualifies the applicant for participation in the scheme. It essentially replaces their existing social welfare income. In addition, an annual €500 cost of education allowance is payable. PLC participants may also be entitled to a maintenance grant.

The Youthreach programme provides two years integrated education, training and work experience to young people aged 15-20 years who left school early without any qualifications or vocational training and are unemployed. There are currently almost 3,700 Youthreach places available in VECs throughout the country. Participants receive a weekly training allowance and also receive a meal and travel allowance. They are also entitled to childcare support.

The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) provides flexible, part-time further education options to enable persons to combine a return to learning with family, work or other commitments. Courses are free for all adults with a less than upper second level education, including the unemployed.