Vol. 513 No. 3
324 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that adult literacy teachers who have been employed on the community employment scheme are being let go in spite of the huge need to expand adult literacy services; and the plans, if any, he has to provide proper conditions and employment opportunities for adult literacy tutors instead of the hand-to-mouth system in place. [2470/00]
I do not know the exact extent to which adult literacy teachers have been employed through the community employment scheme operated by FÁS. My information is that they are comparatively few in number.
In view, however, of the great expansion in the literacy services that has come about through the large annual increases in the financial allocation for adult literacy in recent years, I would be anxious to retain the services of literacy teachers who are funded through the scheme. I propose to discuss the matter with FÁS and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, both of whom are represented on the interdepartmental committee dealing with the provision of literacy services for unemployed people.
Discussions on the pay and conditions of adult literacy organisers will take place shortly with the staff side interests.
