One of the Government's major schemes to provide education and training for the long-term unemployed is experiencing problems, according to a draft report submitted to the Department of Education and Science.
Many of the long-term unemployed have declined to take part in the scheme because it is not specifically an employment programme, according to a report on the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), which has been seen by The Irish Times.
The scheme has had falling numbers, especially among those who are "hardest to reach", says the report, by WRC Social and Economic Consultants. The scheme is funded by the Department of Education and Science and the European Social Fund. Details of the draft report have been submitted to the EU.
The report says a significant problem for the VTOS is a perception among some unemployed men that gaining immediate employment is more desirable than education and training.
The VTOS - which provides courses of up to two years for those unemployed for more than six months - is losing out in terms of numbers to the Community Employment scheme and the Back to Work Allowance scheme. The report says there are eight times as many people with no qualifications on the Back to Work Allowance scheme than on the VTOS.
The report also calls for greater flexibility in the timing and delivery of VTOS programmes. The full-time status of the VTOS is questioned, although a number of part-time options are currently being piloted.
The programme is also criticised for sometimes failing to meet the needs of those with only "basic education levels". For example, the scheme has found it difficult to overcome the perception among the older unemployed that they are too old for education.
The negative experiences some older people had of education when growing up makes the situation worse.
One suggestion made to deal with these problems is to ensure that people participating in the VTOS mix with those of their own age and education.
The report isolates the three crucial factors which influence the decision of the unemployed to take a VTOS course: the financial incentive to participate, a job guarantee and the availability of suitable courses.
There are between 4,000 and 5,000 people on the VTOS at any time. It offers a range of education options from Junior Certificate level up to post-Leaving Certificate courses.