asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will renew the education opportunity scheme to enable people who have been unemployed long term to take up educational courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The educational opportunities scheme is a pilot scheme which gives long term unemployed persons over 25 years of age the opportunity to attend a leaving certificate course run by their local VEC while at the same time being paid a weekly allowance equivalent to their unemployment payments. I am pleased to be able to tell the Deputy that I have made arrangements for the scheme to continue in the pilot locations of Limerick and Tallaght for the current academic year. I understand that two classes are already under way in Limerick and that the Tallaght class expects to get off the ground this week. It would also be my intention to extend the scheme to a number of other locations, as far as resources permit. The scope for extending the scheme is currently being examined and I will be bringing forward proposals in this regard in the near future.

Would the Minister not agree that the scheme is now well proven and is a progressive measure? Would he not agree also that it is high time that this scheme was introduced universally so that all people would have equal rights to participate in such a valuable and progressive scheme?

Yes, I agree that in certain locations it has been very successful. In one location it was not successful but notwithstanding that fact it has been quite successful in Limerick and Tallaght. In my view, it has been very worthwhile and for that reason I proposed to the Government that it should be extended in the coming year and should apply on a wider basis throughout the country. At present we are working on the basis on which that extension should take place. The money allocated for the scheme in 1987 was £100,000. I have succeeded in getting £450,000 for this purpose in 1988. The Deputy will appreciate that a considerable extension is envisaged. I would be anxious in so far as is possible that it be extended further because it is quite useful.

Has any consideration been given to using the mechanism of the Jobsearch programme for the educational opportunities scheme? If it has not, will the Minister give consideration to it as a matter of urgency?

There definitely is a plan to use the Jobsearch programme for any of the positive initiatives that we may have available and this is one of those. The only point which must be borne in mind is that the VEC are involved so it means getting VEC people in an area interested and enthusiastic and prepared to organise the courses with the facilities. That process is going on at the moment.

Arising from the Minister's reply, what number of VECs have contacted the Department with offers to run schemes rather like the pilot schemes; what is the number of the other locations he is at present considering and, finally, has the Minister yet issued his clarification and circular on the definition of "availability for work"?

The Deputy has raised a number of very specific matters here.

If the Deputy likes to put down a question about that I will certainly answer it. On the other hand, if Deputies feel that there is an interest in their own area I would be very glad to hear from them. The number who participate in each area is relatively small but still very important.

Does the Minister agree it would be appropriate that any person who participates and is participating in this scheme should have the payment he receives which is equivalent to a social welfare entitlement regarded as a social welfare entitlement that would thereby entitle him to any of the other consequential benefits that might apply to a person on social welfare and that it should not be said to such a person he is not entitled to a benefit because he is getting a benefit under the educational scheme and not the social welfare payment which he would otherwise be receiving? I am sure the Minister is aware of what I am talking about. Will the Minister ensure there is no loss of any consequential benefit to which such a person would be entitled?

I will certainly take that matter up.