Having spoken to one of the recruitment agencies for FR recently apparently this is what is happening, and its due to the market forces.
As FR like many are in desperate need of already type rated or command rated people they have been recently making the type rating for them bonded rather than self funded.
All those who are low houred like me dont jump up and down your not included. It is just a way to entice the apparently large number of people that have said well I would work for you, but you think I am paying for the priveledge now that I have 4000hrs (example) then forget it.
As such they have said in these cases we will pay for it and bond them.
Ok means if you have the hours to be a direct entry FO on type then its like joining a majority of other airlines, they pay but lock you down for a couple of years.
Maybe some people might like to say, you know well done FR actually doing something right for a change ?