Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004
193 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the estimated annual cost of developing the key segments of the adult education policy adopted by Government; the extent to which funding has increased in each of these segments since the policy was first enunciated; her plans to implement the policy; and the time scale she envisages for funding of its elements. [25856/04]
View answerThe principal objectives of the measures and programmes funded by the Department of Education and Science in the further and adult education area are to meet the needs of young early school-leavers, to provide vocational education and training opportunities for labour market entrants and re-entrants, and alternative pathways to higher education, and to provide second chance education for adults.
The White Paper on Adult Education, Learning for Life, was published in 2000. It identified a range of areas requiring investment and development, including: a national adult literacy strategy; the expansion of the scale and flexibility of existing provision at further and higher education levels; measures to promote community education models; enhancement of quality, accreditation and assessment, staff development and supporting services, such as guidance and child care, expansion of capital provision for adult education; implementation of an ICT programme for adults; specific equality initiatives to improve the participation of marginalised groups; structures for national and local co-ordination. The recommendations of the White Paper are being implemented as resources permit.
The top priority is the adult literacy strategy, both because of the scale of the problem and because literacy skills are a basic requirement for progression in adult, further and higher education. Expenditure on adult literacy has increased from €1 million in 1997 to more than €19 million in 2004. The annual number of literacy students has increased over that period from 5,000 to over 31,000.
The back to education Initiative was introduced in 2002. It is aimed at providing flexible learning opportunities for those in employment, unemployed or not in the labour market. A total of 6,000 part-time places were provided initially. There are now 9,250 participants. Annual expenditure is of the order of €14 million. Expenditure on community education has increased from €1.27 million in 2000 to €8.2 million in 2004.
Support services by way of child care and guidance have been developed. Expenditure on child care has increased from €3 million in 2000 to €4.8 million in 2004. Guidance cost €0.7 million in 2000. The 2004 provision is €3.2 million.
Such programmes as Youthreach, the vocational training opportunities scheme, post-leaving certificate courses and senior Traveller training continue to be provided.
