Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his kind words. I also thank Senators on all sides for their kind remarks and good wishes. I value these all the more because they came from Members on all sides and not just from those on one side who might have felt obliged to utter them.

Senator Ulick Burke referred to the need for additional resources. I could not agree with him more. Just because we have managed to increase the budget by 50% in the past five years does not mean the resources provided are anything like enough. That there has been an increase in funding shows there is a recognition of the importance of adult and further education. Many Senators indicated that they do not want to see adult and further education being treated as an add-on to the education system and that it must form a core part of that system. We discuss social inclusion and citizenship but the only way to ensure people feel and are included is through the education system. In my opinion, this can be done through adult and further education.

The literacy programmes have, for many reasons, proved important. Senator Ulick Burke made the important point that literacy must examined from the earliest possible stage within the education system. This is being achieved through the introduction of the DEIS programme, which homes in on disadvantage and makes particular reference to literacy.

I also agree with the points made about retention levels. If programmes such as Youthreach were not in place at the other end of the spectrum, many young people would be lost completely to the education system. However, there is a greater understanding now about the importance of ensuring all members of our community have a right to an education. If they have been unable to complete their education by a certain age, they must feel that they can have immediate access to second level education, and that has been further emphasised in recent years.

The literacy programmes are most important because if one does not have literacy and numeracy skills, one cannot progress within the education system. Television programmes were found to be the most appropriate way to reach people on the basis of feedback and "Read Write Now" and "The Really Useful Guide to Words and Numbers" have been to the fore in promoting literacy.

I could not agree more with Senators who said the vocational education committees have played an important role in the roll-out of further and adult education and I commend all those within the VECs who are doing a tremendous job.

Senator Ulick Burke referred to the issue of workplace learning. It is not a question of what we can do within the Department in that regard, as we must also liaise with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Movement of workers within county councils and hospitals has been facilitated. Unfortunately, fewer men than women are likely to say they have literacy and numeracy problems and different ways must be found to break down barriers so that men feel they can re-enter the education system. The ratio of women to men in senior Traveller centres is 80:20, while the adult literacy ratio is 59:41. The ratio in the back to education initiative, BTEI, is 75:25, it is 68:32 in the vocational training opportunities scheme, VTOS, while it is 70:30 in post-leaving certificate, PLC, courses. A great deal of work must done but if we concentrate on workplace learning, we may break down that barrier.

A number of Senators, including Senator Ormonde, mentioned guidance, which is very important because it is one thing to be able to access a programme and receive accreditation but it is another to know what to do with it. The only way to do this is to follow progression and those involved in adult guidance are best placed to demonstrate how adults can progress within the education system and employment. An additional €1 million is provided for adult education projects this year covering 38 projects nationwide to promote adult literacy.

Like Senator Norris, I acknowledge the tremendous access programmes provided by Trinity College, NUI Maynooth, DCU and other third level institutions. I have attended a number of meetings at the three universities where administrators were seeking new ways to improve access to adult and further education programmes for older people and I laud their work.

Senator White referred to child care. The Department provides €6 million annually in child care assistance and that has been rolled out through the BTEI. I agree with her that lifelong learning is about all age groups and it should not matter how elderly one is if one has the motivation to participate in education.

Senator Norris raised the Breaking the Cycle programme, which has been incorporated into the work of DEIS. This is in recognition of the need to examine the problems in adult and further education and how they can be addressed when children first enter school as well as dealing with those at the other end of the spectrum. The Senator also referred to retention rates and the National Educational Welfare Board. The board works with home-school-community liaison teachers who maintain an important link between school and the home, which ensures continuity.

I thank Senator Fitzgerald for his kind remarks. I also acknowledge the important role played by adult education organisers and I thank them for their tremendous work and co-operation since I took responsibility for adult education.

PLC courses were mentioned by Senator Tuffy. Discussions are ongoing between the IVEA, the TUI and the Department and provision has been made in the 2007 Estimates in this regard. Negotiations will take place between these groups to further the delivery of support staff and other resources for PLC students in December. The issue is being progressed because there has been significant expansion in this area. All those involved are looking forward to the negotiations and I am sure they will be fruitful.

Community education was also raised by Senator Tuffy. The sum of €120,000 which I mentioned will be allocated to research in this area, specifically for the work of AONTAS, to further our knowledge on how to promote community education and link it with civic responsibility and civic society. The Department has appointed 35 community education facilitators through the VECs and there will be expansion in this area in the coming years.

Senator Coonan referred to school transport. We had €50 million at our disposal in 1997 to roll out the scheme whereas €165 million is available this year. This highlights our commitment to the scheme. I will examine the individual case raised by the Senator but I would be surprised that an eligible student was not being taken to school on a bus. Perhaps the case involves a concessionary student but I will examine it.

I agree with Senator Daly about the importance of Youthreach and the need for co-ordination with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I thank him for his kind remarks as a colleague for many years in the Clare constituency.

Senator Quinn highlighted the literacy issue and how surprising it is when we find out friends and colleagues are unable to read and write. Those who do not have literacy and numeracy skills are embarrassed by this and they hide it very well. However, in 1997, €1 million was made available to deal with literacy problems whereas next year €30 million will be available, which demonstrates the emphasis being placed on this issue by the Government.

I thank the many thousands of volunteers who assist with literacy initiatives. Without them, the system could not work.