Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) - Ireland

Source: Department of Social and Family Affairs

• Purpose
• Eligibility
• Payment arrangements

Purpose

The Department of Education and Science administers the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) which is particularly suitable if a person has been out of school for some time.

The is operated through the VEC’s. The courses provided under the scheme may be for up to two years in duration. They can lead to qualifications such as Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, Post Leaving Certificate and City and Guilds Certificates. The main objectives of the scheme are:

• to give unemployed people education and training opportunities which will develop their employability
• to prepare people to go to paid employment or to further educational opportunities leading to paid employment.

There is no fee for a VTOS course and books and materials are provided free of charge.

Some VEC’s run taster/sampler courses to help people decide on the most appropriate VTOS course to meet their needs.

Eligibility

A person can apply to join if he/she is:

• at least age 21 and
• getting Unemployment Assistance/Benefit, One-Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Disability Benefit or signing for ‘credits’ for at least six months (156 days).

Periods spent on FAS or Community Employment Schemes can count towards this qualifying period, but a person must be getting one of the relevant social welfare payments immediately before starting the course.

If a person qualifies for credited contributions, they will continue to be awarded while on the course. If a person is signing for unemployment credits only, he/she may qualify to participate in the scheme but he/she will not receive an allowance.

If a person is getting an unemployment payment and is getting an increase for his/her spouse/partner, the spouse/partner may also participate in VTOS. However, the spouse/partner will not qualify for a payment in his/her own right while on VTOS but may receive a small lunch and travel allowance (payable by VTOS) where appropriate.

Payment arrangements

VTOS is paid at a standard rate. Therefore, if a person is getting a reduced rate of payment, he/she will be entitled to a higher rate on VTOS.

If a person is transferring from an unemployment payment to VTOS, he/she will be paid a training allowance at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate of Unemployment Benefit, including any appropriate increases due for a qualified adult and dependent children.

If a person is in receipt of an eligible social welfare payment other than Unemployment Benefit/Assistance, he/she will transfer to a VTOS allowance. This allowance will be paid at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate of current social welfare payment.

If a person was in receipt of one of the above Social Welfare payments (or a combination of the above) for 12 months or more immediately prior to starting the VTOS course, an extra allowance (£25 (e31.74) from September 1999) is payable. This increase is also payable if a person has been 12 months on Youthreach or on a Senior Traveller Training Centre

The VTOS allowance is not means-tested, so a person may work without affecting the payment. It continues to be paid over the summer months if a person intends resuming the course in the Autumn. The allowance is also paid during Christmas and Easter holiday periods.

A person retains entitlement to any secondary benefits he/she may already have, for example, Christmas Bonus, Fuel Allowance, Diet Supplement.

Rent or Mortgage Supplement under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme will be affected by any additional income. However, the first £25 (e31.74) of weekly earnings from part-time employment will not affect Rent/Mortgage Supplement.

While on VTOS, a person may receive a small lunch allowance and may be entitled to a travel allowance depending on the distance between home and the VTOS centre. Limited childcare support is also available.

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