Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 1

Written Answers. - Educational Provision.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

657 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding funding for alternative education and training programmes, both voluntary and statutory, that are running for lone parents and young mothers; and the sources of this funding, both nationally and in terms of EU funding. [11137/02]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

658 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding national and EU funding for individual lone parents or young mothers who wish to continue their post-primary education or progress to third level education. [11138/02]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

659 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is a national commitment to funding for lone parents or young mothers' education and training initiatives enshrined in policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11139/02]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

660 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the most pressing needs for lone parents or young mothers who are trying to make their way back to education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11140/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 657 to 660, inclusive, together.

For young parents of school-going age, the most pressing needs are considered to be a sensitive response to their needs, appropriate counselling-mentoring and medical assistance, minimum disruption of tuition, and appropriate access to childcare. For older parents returning to education, there are the added needs for flexible part time options and appropriate financial supports.

Generally, when it comes to the attention of the school that a pupil is pregnant, the school authorities check to ensure that the girl is receiving appropriate medical assistance and counselling advice. Schools endeavour to be sensitive and understanding to the girl's needs while trying to ensure that her education is not neglected. Home tuition is provided to pregnant schoolgirls who are absent from school during the later stages of pregnancy or immediately following the birth of a baby when attendance may be impractical.

In addition, special arrangements for examinations may be made if required under which a pupil who does not wish to sit the exam in her main centre may do so in a separate room or in hospital. If a candidate feels unwell during the course of the examinations, she may be allowed to leave the examination centre and be re-admitted provided that she has been in the care of the principal or a representative of the school authority during her absences. In exceptional circumstances, a candidate may take the examinations at a later time than the scheduled time but on the same day.

In 1998, a new child care measure was introduced to encourage young parents to access the Youthreach and senior Traveller training centre programmes for early school leavers, and the vocational training opportunities scheme for the long-term unemployed. Under the scheme, funds are provided to vocational education committees for direct provision of crèches, purchase of places on existing commercial or community crèches, or payment of childminders subject to a maximum of £50 per week per child and compliance with tax and health board registration requirements. At present some 1,050 parents and 1,308 children are benefiting from the initiative at a cost of €3 million, £2.4 million, per annum. The 10% quota which limited participation of lone parents, dependant spouses and those with disabilities on the VTOS programme was also removed in 1998.

Applications have been invited from schools and vocational education committees to participate in a Back to Education initiative under which part-time options are being made available in further education, particularly targeted at young people and adults with less than upper second level education. Some 6,000 part-time places are being offered this year, and this will increase on a phased basis to a level of 20,000 extra places per annum by 2006. Tuition will be free for participants or dependants of those with medical cards, a means-tested welfare payment, unemployment payment or family income supplement. Holders of one parent family payments are eligible for free tuition under the initiative. The objective of the Back to Education initiative is to provide flexible part-time options under which participants can combine a return to learning with family and work responsibilities. While my Department is not in a position to provide childcare supports for the programme, schools and colleges have been advised that application may be made by them to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for funds for capital and staffing costs of community based crèches. The part-time Back to Education initiative and the programmes for early school leavers are part funded by the European Social Fund under the National Development Fund 2000-2006.

With regard to PLC and third level courses, the arrangements for assessing income for means-tested student maintenance grants provides that the one parent family payments is one of the payments which may be excluded in the calculation of reckonable income. Apart from the maintenance grants schemes and the free fees initiative, under which my Department meets the cost of tuition fees for eligible undergraduate students in approved institutions, financial support is also available to third level students through the student assistance-access fund. The objectives of the fund, which is ESF-aided, are to assist students who might otherwise, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. Students with family responsibilities, particularly in relation to childcare costs, may receive assistance from the fund. I increased significantly the provision for this fund from €2.49 million, £1.964 million, in respect of the 2000-01 academic year to €7.49, million £5.9 million, in respect of the 2001-02 academic year.