Vol. 530 No. 6
448 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if grants are available towards the provision of educational facilities or educational initiatives in local authority or voluntary housing estates where the residents associations of such estates are seeking to provide services for their members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4918/01]
Under the adult literacy and community education scheme, grants are given by my Department to vocational education committees for local community education projects. Community education would include the provision of educational facilities or educational initiatives in local authority or voluntary housing estates, where the residents associations of such estates are seeking to provide services for their members.
Subject to its overall budget for this purpose, each VEC selects the community education projects to be assisted in its area and determines the assistance to be granted to each.
In 2001 the total budget available to vocational education committees for community education has increased by 15%, or £485,000.
In addition, the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs provides extensive funds for local groups and community development initiatives.
