What is VTOS?

VTOS consists of a range of courses designed to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people and to prepare people to go to paid employment or to further opportunities leading to paid employment.

Who can take part in VTOS programmes?
If you are aged 21 or over and in receipt of one of the following for at least six months (156 days):

Unemployment Assitance; Unemployment Benefit; One Parent Family; Disability Allowance; Disability Benefit; Credits; Dependent Spouse; Blind Person’s Pension; Deserted Wife’s Allowance; Deserted Wife’s Benefit; Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance; Widow/Widower’s Contributory Pension; Widow/Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension

What courses are available in VTOS?

Courses are five days a week over 2 years.  Certification is available at a range of levels, including Leaving Certificate, FETAC Level 3,4,5 in Computer Applications and Childcare.

What will a VTOS course cost?

Course are provided free of charge

Will I be paid while attending a VTOS course?

If you are currently getting unemployment assistance or unemployment benefit, you will instead get a training allowance at a rate equivalient to the maximum rate of umemployment benefit.  If you are getting a one-parent family payment or disability payment, you will continue to receive it from the Department of Social, Community & Family Affairs.

You will receive a small lunch allowance and may be entitled to a travel allowance depending on the distance between your home and the VTOS centre.  You will be given books and materials free of charge.

A bonus payment of €31.80 is payable if you have been in receipt of an eligible social welfare for at least one year directly before join VTOS.  Limited childcare support is also available