Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 4

Written Answers. - Adult Education.

Donal Carey

Ceist:

30 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to establish learning resource centres to support and develop outreach adult education including degree level courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11768/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

In the further education sector, a range of programmes are provided, principally by vocational education committees, which include adult literacy and community education programmes, youthreach and senior traveller training centres catering for early school leavers, the vocational training opportunity scheme, and post leaving certificate courses. There are 92 youthreach and traveller centres, and a further 45 centres in FÁS, almost 100 VTOS centres, 205 PLC centres and an expanding range of adult literacy programmes.

The formulation of outreach strategies to attract people who would stand to benefit from adult education programmes, particularly in the area of literacy and basic education, is encouraged in the Green Paper, Adult Education in an Era of Lifelong Learning. The funding provided by my Department for adult education is increasing significantly in the context of the national development plan, and this will provide for further locations to be developed in the period ahead as the need arises. Implementation of national certification arrangements has also been progressed through the work of the National Council for Vocational Awards, and this area will be further strengthened through the work of the National Qualifications Authority. This will provide for formal progression pathways through which participants can progress to higher education.

With regard to third level provision, following the report of the steering committee on the future development on higher education in 1995, the Higher Education Authority was requested to conduct a review of outreach centres of higher education institutions. The Higher Education Authority appointed a technical working group, under the chairmanship of Professor Noel Mulcahy, to consider a range of issues regarding outreach centres. The Higher Education Authority will publish the technical working group's report this week. I have asked the authority to consider the recommendations in the report and advise me accordingly.