Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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199. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of young persons under 25 years of age on the VTOS programme. [30147/21]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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200. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding allocation to the VTOS programme in 2021. [30148/21]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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201. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost of supporting a place on the VTOS programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30149/21]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 to 201, inclusive, together.

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. VTOS is a full time programme, generally of 2 years duration, that 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 the Education and Training Boards (ETBs).

In 2021 SOLAS allocated €66.2m to the ETBs for the provision of the programme to all learners, including those under the age of 25. There are currently 377 learners under the age of 25 enrolled in the programme.

The average annual cost of supporting a place on the VTOS programme is €15,672, including the cost of allowances paid in lieu of social welfare entitlements.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of young persons under 25 years on SOLAS training programmes for the unemployed. [30150/21]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding allocation to young persons under 25 years on SOLAS training programmes for the unemployed in 2021. [30151/21]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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204. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost of supporting a place on the SOLAS training programme for the unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30152/21]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 to 204, inclusive, together.

There is a variety of full-time training programmes available for persons under 25 years including programmes such as Blended Training, Bridging and Foundation Training, Community Training Centres, Local Training Initiatives, Specialist Training Providers, Specific Skills Training and Traineeship Training.  A total of €167.28m has been allocated to these programmes in 2021.  This covers the cost for all participants, including those under the age of 25.

The number of persons under the age of 25 currently enrolled in these programmes is 3,664 learners.  It should be noted that this is in addition to early school leaver programmes, post leaving cert courses and other programmes not specifically aimed at unemployed people.

The average cost of supporting a place on programmes aimed at training unemployed people amounts to €10,750, inclusive of training allowances paid in lieu of social welfare entitlements.  There are significant variances in cost depending on duration and a number of other factors.