Vol. 571 No. 3
33 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the impact the cuts to the VECs' budgets have had on parents attending early school leavers and second chance education programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21556/03]
47 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the cuts he has implemented in child support for vocational training opportunities scheme partici pants will make it extremely difficult for hundreds of working class parents to access education; and if he will reverse the cuts in line with the Government's claim to wish to increase participation in education from working class communities. [21475/03]
52 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the severe problems created for many parents by the decision to severely cut by 37% the budget allocated to vocational education committees for the provision of child care for persons on the vocational training opportunities scheme, Youthreach and senior Traveller schemes; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that without child care it will be virtually impossible for many persons dependent on one parent family payments to participate in such courses; if he will reverse the cuts and restore the budgets to at least the levels of 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21495/03]
61 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the measures which are planned to counteract the effect the withdrawal of child care funding for vocational training opportunities scheme students is having on many people wishing to further their education. [21548/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 47, 52 and 61 together.
Since 1998 my Department has provided funding for vocational education committees to assist towards the child care expenses of participants in VTOS, Youthreach and senior Traveller centre programmes. The cost of providing these supports has been rising steadily since 1998 and in the current year, the sum of the estimate by vocational education committees of their needs exceeds the amount of money available.
I appreciate that the shortage of funds for child care supports has given rise to difficulties for a number of vocational education committees and may impact on the options available to adult learners in relation to participation in second chance education programmes. At present, I am examining the possibility of providing some special assistance to vocational education committees that are particularly badly affected.
