Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the damage which will be caused to second chance education, particularly in disadvantaged areas by the proposed changes, and cutbacks without consultation, in respect of return to education courses; the proposes changes to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23280/05]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The FÁS-VEC return to education programme was put in place to address the literacy needs of participants on the community employment programme. It has been running for a number of years and is delivered on a regional basis by the VECs. There have been no cutbacks in the FÁS budget for literacy training over 2004. There has been an increase in expenditure on literacy to date this year when compared to last year.

While the course has been successful in achieving the overall objectives of providing literacy support, the organisational arrangements and delivery has varied from region to region. In order to bring some consistency to the programme, the representative body of the VECs, the IVEA, and FÁS had a series of meetings to review the programme. FÁS has undertaken extensive consultation with regional staff on the matter and, together with the IVEA, brought forward proposals for a restructured programme. These proposals have now been agreed and have been circulated by FÁS to regional staff for implementation. Likewise, the IVEA agreed the programme on behalf of the VECs in consultation with them. The revised structure will ensure a more effective delivery system, improved quality assurance, and will cover the following headings: referral, partnership in delivery, consistency in provision and regional coverage, progression for the learner.

The new agreement stresses the importance of providing adequate supports to the individual learner and makes provision for additional tuition to be provided based on the learner's needs which will be supported by VECs and FÁS. In addition, both the VECs and FÁS are seeking ways in which the VECs can provide other supports to FÁS and to work more closely with FÁS staff and CE sponsors in developing their awareness and skills in promoting and supporting literacy with CE participants.