Deirdre Clune
Ceist:35 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science if he supports the concept of learning accounts for adults which would help make lifelong learning a reality. [3652/98]
Written Answers. - Adult Education.
My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, has established a committee to consider the development of an "education bank". The establishment of an education bank is in accordance with the current concept of lifelong learning arising from the need for constant retraining necessitated by the demands of the workplace, which are constantly changing, and the contribution that learning makes to the personal development of individuals. The primary purpose of the bank will be to establish a fund which would remove many of the financial barriers to further education. Contributions to this fund would come from a variety of sources which have an interest in improving the adult education services. Withdrawals would be made as needed by individuals or groups to cover the expenses of compensatory education, upskilling and retraining.