Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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164. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) who is pursuing a course under the VTOS scheme is not being paid an appropriate allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37725/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The Vocational Training and Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is designed to cater for people who are over 21 years of age, are unemployed and have been getting certain social welfare payments for at least 6 months. This scheme provides a range of courses to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people. It gives participants opportunities to improve their general level of education, gain certification, develop their skills and prepare for employment, self-employment and further education and training. The scheme is operated through local Education and Training Boards and is aimed in particular at unemployed people who are early school-leavers.

The student that the deputy refers to contacted Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board requesting to undertake subjects of Mathematics, Business and Economics for the Leaving Certificate. These subjects were not available on a part-time basis but they were available as part of full-time VTOS provision.

As the student is currently in employment, they are not on a qualifying payment and they were not available or eligible to take part in full-time VTOS provision. However, in order to support their learning pathway, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board enabled the student to register with the part time Back to Education Initiative and attend classes delivered as part of VTOS provision.

In general, a training allowance is not paid to BTEI students and the person in question, who is in employment, is not eligible for any allowance payable by the Education and Training Board. They may be entitled to a payment from the Department of Employment and Social Protection, such as the Working Family Payment.