Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the terms of the vocational training opportunities scheme and back to education allowance have been aligned and in respect of the period of claiming before eligibility is established for different types of courses; and the eligibility of those under 21 years who have a severe disability. [7019/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is funded by my Department and operated through the Vocational Education Committees (VECs). It provides full-time second-chance education and training opportunities for unemployed adults (including those with disabilities) who are over the age of 21 and in receipt of specified Social Welfare payments for at least six months.

The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a scheme administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities who are getting certain payments from that Department. The allowance can be paid to people over 21 years of age who wish to participate in approved second or third level courses of education. People over 18 years of age in receipt of the Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension or Incapacity Supplement for the required period of time may be eligible for the BTEA as well. The alignment of VTOS with the BTEA scheme in respect of both these issues is currently under review in my Department.