Written answers

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Department of Education and Skills

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme Eligibility

Photo of Paul ConnaughtonPaul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

980. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale behind the requirement for participants in vocational training opportunities scheme to be in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection for six months before taking up a course; her views that this effectively incentivises persons staying on social welfare for some months after they would otherwise have done so to access the course; that persons who require re-skilling after becoming unemployed benefit from starting retraining as soon as possible, in order that they can re-enter the workforce; her plans to remove the requirement that participants be on social welfare for six months or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38014/15]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), introduced in 1989, was designed specifically for long-term unemployed people who have minimal or no qualifications to facilitate their return to education and training.

There are a range of other options available to unemployed people for upskilling in the Further Education and Training sector. Information on these options is available from local Education and Training Boards (ETBs) throughout the country.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.