Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2004
31 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the position with regard to the national adult learning council; and if he will make a statement on the links between this council and the National Adult Literacy Agency. [5201/04]
View answerThe national adult learning council was established in March 2002 on an ad hoc basis pending the making of an order under section 54 of the Education Act 1998 to establish it as a statutory body. The role and functions of the council were outlined in the White Paper on Adult Education — Learning for Life. Since the establishment of the ad hoc council, concerns have emerged that the functions of the council are too wide-ranging and not sufficiently focused. Additionally, a number of developments have occurred which will impact on the work of the council. Accordingly, my Department is undertaking a strategic review of the role and functions of the council to address these concerns. I expect to have the report of this review shortly. Pending the outcome of the review, meetings of the council have been deferred.
The National Adult Literacy Agency is a voluntary body, which receives funding from my Department to support initiatives in the area of adult literacy. The director of the National Adult Literacy Agency is a member of the national adult learning council.
