Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 636: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in implementing the commitment in the programme for Government to provide a second chance guarantee for people who left school without qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7017/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is strongly committed to improving participation and achievement at every level of education. We have put the resources and supports in place to ensure there is a wide range of course options available in the further education sector for young people who left school without qualifications. Programmes within the further education sector funded by my Department are operated and managed primarily by the Vocational Education Committees. National certification is provided by the Further Education and Training Awards Council.

Within the framework of the priorities identified in the 2000 While Paper on Adult Education, the principal objectives of the measures and programmes funded by the Department of Education and Science in the further and adult education area are to meet the needs of young early school leavers, provide vocational education and training opportunities for labour market entrants and re-entrants and alternative pathways to higher education and provide second chance education for adults.

These objectives, for those people who have left school without qualifications, are pursued through full-time programmes such as Youthreach, senior Traveller training centres and the vocational training opportunities scheme, and part-time programmes such as the back to education initiative, adult literacy courses and the community education scheme. On completion of such programmes, a student may progress to post-leaving certificate courses or other provisions.

The Government has shown a sustained determination to expand and improve further adult education over recent years. We believe strongly in the value of this sector and will continue to prioritise it for resources and supports in the years ahead.