Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2011
218 Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason behind the decision to cut funding to the return to education programme; and if this programme will be re-instated in the lifetime of the current Government. [25837/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Return to Education Programme is a joint initiative between FÁS and Vocational Education Committees (VEC) for participants on community employment (CE) to support their basic literacy skills. Participants are released from their CE work for nine hours per week over the thirty week duration of the initiative. The initiative aims to provide help for participants to achieve significant improvement in their reading and writing skills, to further enhance their opportunities in seeking employment and/or pursuing further education and training opportunities. I am advised by FÁS that the same level of funding is available to participants as in previous years. Nearly €11 million has been allocated by FÁS to support training for CE participants in 2011.
As a result changes to the method of procurement and contracting, FÁS no longer arranges training on behalf of CE projects. CE sponsors now contract for all training for participants in line with the requirements of the Qualification (Education & Training) Act 1999 and best practice in obtaining value for money.
