Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

Gabhaim buíochas don Seanadóir O'Toole as ucht an ábhair seo a ardú sa Teach. The Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy de Valera, regrets that she cannot take this Adjournment matter as she is accompanying the President on a State visit to Korea, but she has asked me to outline the following for the House.

Further education is already fully recognised by the Department of Education and Science as a specific sector of our education system. This recognition is underpinned in the national development plan and in the national anti-poverty strategy and is validated in a range of reports relating to social inclusion and economic prosperity and competitiveness.

The increased financial provision in the annual Estimates of the Department of Education and Science to support development and expansion in this area is clear evidence of our commitment to further and adult education.