Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that allowance to persons attending the schemes such as the national learning network, that provides courses for persons with a disability, have had their weekly allowances cut and in view of the costs of trainees if he will agree to review the impact this is having on those participating in courses. [2951/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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FÁS contracts with Specialist Training Providers such as the National Learning Network to deliver training programmes to people with disabilities. Training allowances set by FÁS are paid directly to the trainee and FÁS reimburse the training provider based on invoices received.

As part of Budget 2012, it was decided to reduce training allowances in respect of 16 and 17 year old on FÁS courses from €76.65 and €95.75 respectively to €40 per week. This reduction applies to new entrants from 1st January 2012 and is mirrored in the Youthreach programme for early school leavers managed by the VECs.

I have been informed by FÁS that the change to the rate of training allowances paid to new participants under 18 years of age is the only rate change implemented by FÁS in 2012.

This reduction does not apply to persons under 18 years old receiving Disability Allowance.