asked the Minister for Education (a) the total amount of money provided in the 1978 estimates for continuing or recurrent adult education; and (b) the percentage this represents of the total Education Vote.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Adult Education.
23.
Information is not available in the form requested by the Deputy as financial provision for adult education activities in many areas is made available to the universities, vocational education committees and comprehensive and community schools as part of the global allocation of funds to them. I may say that the main providers of adult education are the vocational education committees and that it is estimated that approximately £1.5 million is provided for the purpose in their budgets for 1978.
It would be appropriate to point out, furthermore, that adult education activities are also financed by other Government Departments.
Is the Minister aware that there are approximately a million adults in this country who have had only primary school education? Is he satisfied that an allocation of a little more than £1 per head per year is an adequate sum to meet their educational needs?
That is a separate question.
May I ask the Minister if he has any proposal to bring together under one heading the total allocations for adult education, and if he has any proposal to adopt any clear policy setting out priorities for the various institutions providing adult education?
I have no plans at the moment to bring all the money together under one heading for adult education. Regarding plans for the future of adult education, my predecessor but one got a report on adult education and when I succeed in finding it in the files in the office I may be in a position to make special arrangements for the development of adult education.
Is the Minister satisfied with the amount of money being provided for adult education?
I am not satisfied with the amount of money being provided for anything.