Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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21. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person who is under the VTOS scheme takes up a paid internship or work during the summer can still access VTOS for the second year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10856/19]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) was established to provide a range of courses to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people. The scheme allows successful applicants to keep their social welfare allowances while attending their courses. VTOS courses are available to persons over the age of 21, and who are in receipt certain social welfare allowances for a period of at least six months (156 days). A full list of qualifying social welfare allowances for eligibility to VTOS courses is available on my Department’s website, or from the local Education and Training Board (ETB).

VTOS is a full time one or two year programme. Learners can work part time outside the operating hours of the programmes such as evenings, weekends and during the summer time. However, a learner must formally commit to return for the second year of the programme after year one by letter, and this letter must be dated and stamped to secure the learners place on the programme for year two.

A review of VTOS and Specific Skills Training is currently underway, and is due for publication later this year. The purpose of the review is to generate policy relevant knowledge concerning the outputs and outcomes of the VTOS and SST programmes, and the effectiveness of provision. The review may also make recommendations on how the programmes can be developed in the future.