Brian O'Shea
Question:339 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science his proposals to ensure the continuation of the adult education centre in Waterford (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27184/02]
Written Answers. - Adult Education.
The question refers to a statement in a newspaper article that "budgetary cutbacks and restrictions could threaten the very existence of adult education in Waterford". There is no basis for this statement. National policy is that, apart from the most disadvantaged, part-time adult education provision should be self-financing. Accordingly, vocational educational committees administer local adult education services with funding from two sources.
My Department provides funding for basic education courses, which are provided free of charge or at nominal costs to participants. The allocation to the City of Waterford VEC for this purpose has increased constantly over the last few years, thereby allowing the service to expand correspondingly.
Other types of course are required by my Department to be entirely self-financing. Fees are payable by participants. The nature and scale of such courses, and the level of fee charged, are matters to be decided by the VEC.