Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 1

Written Answers. - Second Chance Education.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

299 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 2 October 2003, when this examination will be completed; and the work which has been done on this examination to date. [26407/03]

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

300 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 2 October 2003; the way in which his Department defines "particularly badly affected"; and if his Department has consulted with the vocational education committees on this definition. [26408/03]

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

301 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 2 October 2003, the meaning of the words, "special assistance". [26409/03]

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

302 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 2 October 2003, the progress which has been made in this examination; and the consultation which has taken place with people affected by the cuts. [26410/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 299 to 302, inclusive, together.

In all, 27 of the 33 vocational education committees requested special assistance by way of additional funding in 2003 to maintain their child care services for participants in VTOS, Youthreach and senior Traveller centre programmes. Following a review of budgetary provision for 2003 across the range of further education programmes and supports, it has been found possible to redesignate certain elements of funding to enable supplementary grants to be allocated for child care.

VECs were asked to indicate their minimal requirements to maintain the service and this information is currently being received in my Department. Supplementary allocations will be issued to the vocational education committees in question on foot of the revised information.