Dáil Éireann - Volume 491 - 03 June, 1998

Written Answers. - Adult Education.

Mr. R. Bruton Mr. R. Bruton

275. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the numbers participating in, and the total budget for, adult literacy and community education schemes for the most recent year for which data is available; and the way in which these have changed over the past five years. [12707/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin) Micheál Martin

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin): My Department funds the adult literacy and community education scheme (ALCES) and the special initiatives for disadvantaged adults scheme (SPIDAS).

1350

Funding is channelled through the vocational education committees and they are responsible for the administration of the programmes. Exact participation figures are not available, but it is estimated that there are approximately 5,000 [1350] people participating in literacy schemes and 14,000 in the community education schemes.

The total budget for the schemes in respect of 1998 is £5.295 million. This represents an increase of £2 million over 1997. Comparative data over the past five years are as set out below.

Mr. R. Bruton Mr. R. Bruton

276. Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the make-up of courses with the associated level of participation in adult literacy and community education schemes for the most recent year for which data is available. [12708/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin) Micheál Martin

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin): Funds for courses conducted by vocational education committees under the adult literacy and community education scheme, ALCES, are provided by my Department. It is for each VEC to decide the nature, location and participant numbers of courses provided under the scheme in its area. While a wide range of courses is available, precise information on all types of course offered, and the number of participants on each course, is not maintained by my Department. Overall, there are approximately 5,000 participants on literacy schemes and 14,000 in community education schemes.

In general, the literacy programmes focus on the development of literacy, numeracy, communications skills and self-esteem, while the community education programmes focus on such issues as parenting, how parents can support their children's learning, household management skills and a range of vocational and leisure options in response to locally identified interests and needs.

Dáil Éireann 491 Written Answers. Adult Education.

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