Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 4

Written Answers. - Adult Education Courses.

Liam Lawlor

Question:

82 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the low participation levels in some areas of Dublin in adult education courses offered by the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee; if she will request her officials to review matters in consultation with the committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Over 17,000 adults participated in part-time adult education courses in the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee area in 1992-93, involving almost 350 courses.

I understand that there are low participation rates in general adult education courses in some areas where there are a high number of disadvantaged people. The vocational education committee encourages participation in adult education in these areas through special interventions and programmes which include the following:

—Assistance with fees for attendance at general part-time courses for adults.

—Under the Adult Literacy and Community Education Scheme, the vocational education committee funds 11 literacy schemes in the city and 53 voluntary groups engaged in community adult education activities.

—Over 1,000 long term unemployed adults are engaged at present in fulltime education in the Vocational Training Opportunities scheme and under the Department of Social Welfare second level scheme for the long term unemployed.

—Over 350 young adults who left school without qualification undergo specially designed education programmes under the Youthreach scheme.

—A large number of young adults receive tuition in numeracy and literacy in Community Training Workshops and Travellers Workshops.

My Department is in regular contact with the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee concerning various aspects of adult education and it provided substantially increased funding to the vocational education committee this year for the special interventions indicated above.