Vol. 574 No. 2
140 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made with regard to the possibility of providing some special assistance to vocational education committees that have been badly affected by the decision to severely cut by 37% the budget allocated to vocational education committees for the provision of child care for persons on VTOS, Youthreach and senior traveller schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26495/03]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 299 to 302, inclusive, of 11 November 2003.
Twenty seven 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 re-designate certain elements of funding to enable supplementary grants to be allocated for child care. Vocational education committees were asked to indicate their minimal requirements to maintain the service and this information is being received in my Department. Supplementary allocations will be issued to the vocational education committees in question on foot of the revised information.
