Vocational Training VTOS

(Vocational Training and Opportunities Scheme)

Am I eligible to join a VTOS course?

Yes, if you are:

• aged 21 or over and
• in receipt of a Job Seekers’ Allowance or a Job Seekers’ Benefit or signing for credits for at least six months or
• in receipt of a One Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Illness Benefit, Blind Pension or Invalidity Pension
  for at least six months or
• are a dependent spouse of an eligible person for at least six months or
• in receipt of Deserted Wife’s Benefit/Allowance, Widow’s/Widower’s Contributory/Non Contributory Pension/
  Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance or Blind Person’s Pension for at least six months.
  Conditions may apply in the case of Blind Person’s Pension/ Deserted Wife’s Benefit/Allowance/Widower’s Contributory/
  Non Contributory Pension or Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance.
  Periods spent on FÁS training courses, Community Employment Schemes, Job Initiative, Youthreach programmes
  and time in prison can count towards the qualifying period

What will VTOS cost me?

• If you are currently getting a Job Seekers’ Allowance or a Job Seekers’ Benefit, you will instead get a training allowance
  at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate of your payment.
• If you are in receipt of One Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Illness Benefit, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension,
  Deserted Wife’s Benefit/Allowance, Widow’s/Widower’s Contributory/Non Contributory Pension and Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance
  you will continue to draw your payment in the normal way from the Department of Social Protection.
• If you are signing for credits only you may qualify to participate in a VTOS course. You will not receive a training allowance.
• If you are the spouse/partner of a person in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit which includes an increase for
  the spouse/partner you may also qualify to join a VTOS course.
  However the spouse/partner will not qualify for payment in his/her own right while on VTOS.
• You will/may receive a small lunch allowance and, depending on the distance between your home and the VTOS centre,
  you may be entitled to a travel allowance
• You may be given books and materials free of charge.
• Childcare support may be available.
• A bonus payment of €20 is payable if you have been in receipt of certain eligible social welfare payments for
  at least one year directly before you join VTOS. Conditions may apply.

Email address: vnoonan@stjohnscollege.ie