Vol. 491 No. 6
275 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the numbers participating in, and the total budget for, adult literacy and community education schemes for the most recent year for which data is available; and the way in which these have changed over the past five years. [12707/98]
My Department funds the adult literacy and community education scheme (ALCES) and the special initiatives for disadvantaged adults scheme (SPIDAS).
|
£ |
|
|
1994 |
2,797,927 |
|
1995 |
3,127,000 |
|
1996 |
3,271,044 |
|
1997 |
3,584,872 |
|
1998 |
5,295,000 |
276 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the make-up of courses with the associated level of participation in adult literacy and community education schemes for the most recent year for which data is available. [12708/98]
Funds for courses conducted by vocational education committees under the adult literacy and community education scheme, ALCES, are provided by my Department. It is for each VEC to decide the nature, location and participant numbers of courses provided under the scheme in its area. While a wide range of courses is available, precise information on all types of course offered, and the number of participants on each course, is not maintained by my Department. Overall, there are approximately 5,000 participants on literacy schemes and 14,000 in community education schemes.
In general, the literacy programmes focus on the development of literacy, numeracy, communications skills and self-esteem, while the community education programmes focus on such issues as parenting, how parents can support their children's learning, household management skills and a range of vocational and leisure options in response to locally identified interests and needs.
