Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2004
344 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on the progress towards a second chance guarantee for adults who left school without completing the junior cycle at second level. [32995/04]
View answerMy Department's White Paper on Adult Education, Learning for Life, identified the need for targeted interventions to encourage and support the participation of certain priority groups in adult education. In particular, the White Paper highlighted the allocation of additional resources to address adult literacy needs and the need to provide increased opportunities for adult learners, prioritising the needs of those with less than upper secondary education.
These opportunities are provided by my Department through the availability of a range of second chance education programmes for young people and adults alike who have either left school early or who need further vocational training to enhance their employment prospects. These programmes are provided mainly by the vocational education committees but also in schools and colleges and by community-based education groups. The programmes supported by the Department are complemented by a range of courses provided by FÁS and other education and training providers.
My Department provided €111 million for its programmes this year. They cater for more than 75,000 students. Such programmes include the vocational training opportunities scheme; post leaving certificate courses; Youthreach; adult literacy and community education; the back to education initiative; senior Travellers training programme; and an education equality initiative to address gaps in provision of learning and training for educationally disadvantaged people. In general, participation in these programmes is free of charge. Training allowances and student support grants are paid as follows: means-tested maintenance grants for post leaving certificate students; training allowances paid, in lieu of social welfare payments, under the vocational training opportunities scheme; and training allowances paid to early school leavers in Youthreach and in senior Traveller training centres, who left school with either minimal or no qualifications. Additional support is provided for some categories of student through an adult guidance initiative and child care grants towards the cost of child care support for participants in further education programmes.
