Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 714: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the necessary funds will be provided to ensure that there is no disruption of the adult literacy and child care courses within the Mayo vocational educational committee's area; if the monies will continue to be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28730/05]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 716: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the cutbacks that are proposed or are taking place within the vocational educational committee; the reason for the proposed cutbacks; the number of persons who will be affected on a county basis; the savings which will occur as a direct result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28742/05]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 717: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the cutbacks that are proposed or are taking place within the vocational educational committee in County Mayo; the reason for the proposed cutbacks; the number of persons who will be affected; the savings which will occur as a direct result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28743/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 714, 716 and 717 together.

My Department was contacted by the chief executive officer of County Mayo Vocational Education Committee, Mr. Joseph Langan, on Friday 7 October about this matter. My officials requested that the matter be put in writing so it could be considered. As yet no written communication has been received. The adult literacy services are delivered locally by vocational education committees, VECs, under the budget for adult literacy, community education and the special initiatives for disadvantaged adults scheme. The national position regarding the allocations is as follows.

My Department notified all VECs by letter on 30 March 2005 of their provision for 2005 covering their further education programmes. These include adult literacy and community education programme, the vocational training opportunities scheme, post leaving certificate courses, senior Traveller training centres, Youthreach, and the back to education initiative. The provision for County Mayo VEC for the adult literacy programme in 2005 is €422,187 as against an allocation of €406,176 for 2004. This represents an increase of 10.39% which was one of the highest percentage increases to any VEC. The corresponding increase in the overall subhead was 9%. This increase was in recognition of the demographic factors and the dispersed nature of the population in that county. The number of literacy clients for 2004 was 660.

Under the Vocational Education (Amendment) Act 2001, each VEC must remain within its allocation for the year. The VEC has discretion over how it allocates its resources and the nature and extent of adult literacy provided. However, it is expected that each VEC plans its activities to ensure literacy services are available throughout the year, based on the annual budget provided. On a national level, my Department has increased the resources for adult literacy from approximately €1.3 million in 1997 to €22 million this year. Numbers of clients have increased from 5,000 in 2000 to 33,000 in 2004. County Mayo has played its part in the expansion of client numbers and service, as seen by an increase in clients from 316 in 2000 to 660 in 2004. The six month return to June 2005 indicates 763 clients.

Notwithstanding the impressive increase in numbers it is important that VECs plan their literacy courses for the full 12 months within the budget provided. I re-iterate that my department was given little prior warning of this matter and looks forward to receiving written communication from County Mayo VEC.