Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 April 2004
99 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science the Government’s position on rectifying the over reliance on volunteers in the adult literacy service, NALA, in view of the fact that there has been no increase in funding this year. [10973/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national adult literacy service is provided by the vocational education committees with funding from my Department. The VEC service is separate from the National Adult Literacy Agency, NALA, which is a voluntary organisation, concerned with national co-ordination, training and policy development in adult literacy work, rather than with direct provision of literacy tuition.
Some literacy tutors in the VEC service are professional but about 80% are volunteers. A quarter of the 28,000 learners are working with the volunteer tutors on a one to one basis. As the number of voluntary tutors is about 4,200, the cost of payment for their services would be considerable.
The Government recognises the unique and valuable contribution of volunteers in the development of the adult literacy service. It is concerned that this contribution be retained in the future and that it be validated and acknowledged. The White Paper on Adult Education, Learning for Life, published in 2000, envisages that volunteers should be provided with the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge, attitude and skills and to gain certification through flexible procedures.
100 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science the Government’s commitment to funding the literacy service beyond 2006. [10974/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdult literacy is my top priority in adult education. Since the publication of a report of an international adult literacy survey in 1997, which found that 25% of the adult population have literacy problems, the annual funding of the national adult literacy service has increased considerably and is now of the order of €19 million.
The service is delivered through the vocational education committees throughout the country, with funding from my Department. The national development plan committed €93.5 million to the service in the period 2000-2006, with a target of reaching 113,000 clients over that period. This target is likely to be exceeded.
My Department has been funding the adult literacy service since 1985. Having regard to the high priority accorded to the service, and the scope for developing it on the evidence of the 1997 report, it is envisaged that the Government will continue to make provision for adult literacy beyond 2006 to the extent that resources permit.
