Vol. 571 No. 4
262 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if no student on VTOS, Youthreach and senior Travellers centres programmes will be prevented from taking up such a programme due to child care costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21865/03]
268 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the impact of Government cutbacks on the future on VEC creche facilities in County Wicklow; if all places will be fully secured for the future and funding provided to keep then open beyond the end of 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21971/03]
300 Ms Fox asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the devastating effects of the proposal to cut back funding for child care for those in second chance education; if he will reinstate this level of funding to ensure that at least those midway through their course can finish it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22278/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 262, 268 and 300 together.
Since 1998 my Department has provided funding for vocational education committees to assist towards child care expenses of participants in VTOS, Youthreach and senior Traveller centre programmes. The cost of providing these supports has been rising steadily since 1998 and in the current year, the sum of the estimate by vocational education committees of their needs exceeds the amount of money available.
I appreciate that the shortage of funds has given rise to difficulties for a number of vocational education committees and may impact on the options available to adult learners in relation to participation in second chance education. My Department is currently communicating with vocational education committees with a view to providing some special assistance for those vocational education committees that are particularly badly affected.
