Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will reverse his decision to cut the allowances of participants on vocational training opportunities scheme, Youthreach and senior Traveller training centres. [4233/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Participants in the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) and the Youthreach and Senior Traveller Training Centre (STTC) programmes are entitled to a range of allowances.

VTOS participants are entitled to a training allowance at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate of Jobseekers Allowance/Benefit, plus a payment for an adult or child dependant, if appropriate. Youthreach and STTC programme participants are entitled to a training allowance based on FÁS Training Allowance rates.

VTOS, Youthreach and STTC participants retain their Social Welfare secondary benefits. They are also eligible to receive meal, travel and/or accommodation allowances. In addition, participants who have been in receipt of their Social Welfare payment for at least 12 months (312 days) directly before their course commencement date are paid a training bonus.

Training allowances for participants in these programmes are set in line with the relevant Social Welfare and FÁS allowances, as above. The 2010 Budget provided for reductions in Social Welfare rates and FÁS Training Allowance rates and the training allowances for VTOS, Youthreach and STTC participants were reduced in line with those reductions. I have no plans to reverse this decision.