asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on future Government policy on adult and continuing education.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Adult and Continuing Education.
2.
Government policy on adult and continuing education is outlined in the recently published Programme for Action in Education 1984-1987. The report of the Commission on Adult Education will be published shortly and the Government will respond as positively as possible to the recommendations of the commission within the limits imposed by available financial resources. Adult literacy will constitute a major thrust of future policy and community education in disadvantaged areas will also be promoted.
Will the Minister state in what way it is intended that the disadvantaged will be favoured in the provision of adult education facilities? Secondly, will she consider consulting with the Minister for Social Welfare to provide that adults attending education courses will not be disqualified from receiving their social welfare benefits in a manner as applies at present? Thirdly, will she indicate what funds are likely to be available for adult education in disadvantaged areas?
On the second part of the question, I am in consultation with the Minister for Social Welfare on that matter. With regard to adult education in disadvantaged areas, I am afraid I shall have to wait until the report of the Commission on Adult Education is published, which will be in a matter of weeks, for further details so that we can see how we plan to implement the programme. That applies also to the funds available. As the Deputy is aware, it is not possible for me at this stage to allocate funds for 1985, 1986 and 1987. The Deputy can be assured that I will implement as actively as possible the report of the Commission on Adult Education.
Will the Minister go so far as to say that it is likely there will be an amendment to the existing rule regarding the disqualification from social welfare benefits of adults on education courses? I realise a decision has not been made but perhaps the Minister can indicate to the House that this will be likely?
I am afraid I cannot give such an indication at the moment because consultations are in train on this matter.
Will the Minister state how long the report of the Commission on Adult Education has been with the Department? I ask that serious consideration be given to allow people to continue to receive their benefits and, at the same time, benefit from adult education which ultimately will help their future job prospects.
In answer to the second part of that question, I can only repeat assurances of my concern in this area and the fact that I am in discussions about this very difficult problem. It is quite complex, as I am sure the Deputy is aware. The report of the Commission on Adult Education was presented to me in June 1983. It is a very large report and, as the Deputy is probably aware, when reports are presented to Government they must be circulated to all Departments for observations. Because it is such a large report many Departments took a considerable time to consider it carefully. It is now being discussed by the Government and I expect to have it published within a matter of weeks.
The Minister indicated she was somewhat restricted in what she could say until the report is published. Does she not agree that the matter of premises presents one of the greatest difficulties facing those who are registered in adult education? At the moment adult education classes can take place only in whatever facilities are available for first and second level education. In Dublin there is a problem in certain areas of decreasing numbers at first and second level. Will the Minister undertake to do what is possible, through the involvement of her Department in the schools, to make sure that resources available at first and second level will also be made available to adult education groups who are beginning to develop around the city?
That is a matter that is covered in the report of the Commission on Adult Education. The Deputy is aware that facilities are available at third level for adult education. It is not envisaged that the Department of Education will get involved in the large-scale provision of premises for adult education but obviously the full utilisation of existing resources is something that must be encouraged.
3.
asked the Minister for Education if she has as yet made a favourable decision on the submission made by the Finglas Association for Mature Student Education, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I carefully considered the submission made by the Finglas Association for Mature Student Education. A reply has been issued to the association explaining the position in regard to (i) the question of fees for students at the leaving certificate examination, and (ii) the question of accommodation for the association.
Would the Minister care to advise me on the position?
On the question of accommodation, the reply pointed out that only the managerial authorities of the schools in the area could deal with that matter. As I said in relation to the previous question a moment ago, it is not the function of the Minister to supply premises for adult education. With regard to fees, the fee for the leaving certificate examination is £30 per student for school candidates and £30 per subject for external candidates. There are reasons for the difference. One is that a special examination centre has to be established to cater for external students and unit costs are likely to be considerably higher than for regular school-based centres. In the reply I said I would look at the position regarding the charges for external candidates in respect of future examinations.
Is the Minister happy with the position regarding fees? I am referring to a situation where a group of housewives apply themselves to study one subject in which they can become literate and thus help their families. Is she happy that those ladies should be charged £30 for sitting that examination?
I have already indicated to the Deputy that I am looking at that matter.
Is the Minister looking at it with a view to reducing the fee?
That implies I am not happy with the situation.
The Minister's unhappiness is not of much use to those ladies unless she can indicate she will reduce the fee of £30. Is she going to reduce that fee or is she not? That is all I am asking.
I have already indicated I am considering the matter.
To what extent? I am a little tired of the Minister talking about commitments to this and waiting for reports on that. Those good ladies are pursuing educational courses in the face of many problems——
We cannot have argument at Question Time.
Will the Minister assure those ladies and other ladies throughout the country that she will not expect from them the amount expected from students who are sitting the full complement of subjects? Surely she can give that assurance?
As I have indicated to the Deputy, I can assure the women who are taking these courses that I am considering the matter.
It would be a salient achievement for the feminist cause of equality if women, mostly the mature students Deputy Tunney has spoken about — and the same can be said about students in my area — who wish to do one subject, housewives who wish to better themselves and their families, were able to return to the labour force when their families have grown up. I say to the Minister, as one woman to another, that it would be a great achievement for feminism.