Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 3

Written Answers. - Community Training Workshops.

Joe Higgins

Question:

301 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 1 March 2000, the manner in which literacy and numeracy is delivered at Tralee community training workshop. [11562/00]

The management and funding of the network of community training workshops is a matter for FÁS, and the day-to-day operation of individual workshops is a matter for the director and board of management of the particular centre. Under arrangements for co-operation with other institutions, some 960 teaching hours have been allocated by County Kerry VEC to Balloonagh, community training workshop, Tralee. As previously indicated the manner in which those hours are applied, as between literacy-numeracy tuition, personal development, and general and vocational education is a matter for determination by management of the training workshop. Inquiries have been made with the VEC in this case and it is understood that literacy-numeracy tuition is delivered under the title of communications skills and is also integrated into other modules such as life and social skills-personal development, health and hygiene-child care, computer skills, catering, construction and craftwork and that the approach has been approved by the centre's board of management.

Joe Higgins

Question:

302 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Education and Science the measures taken to monitor the utilisation of the funding allocated by his Department to Tralee community training workshops; and the way in which the effectiveness of that utilisation is assessed. [11563/00]

Under arrangements for co-operation with other institutions, some 960 teaching hours have been allocated by County Kerry VEC to Balloonagh community training workshop, Tralee. It is a matter for the VEC acting in co-operation with the community training workshop to ensure that that the resources applied are used efficiently and effectively. The VEC reports annually to my Department on the utilisation of the teaching hours which it allocates under co-operation arrangements. The continuation of co-operation arrangements is subject to the VEC and my Department being satisfied as to the effectiveness of the arrangements. If there is an issue regarding the use of such resources, it should be drawn to the attention of either FÁS, which has overall responsibility for the centres, the VEC or my Department.

Top
Share