Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has received a report from FÁS on the special programme for return to education implemented in conjunction with the vocational educational committee for persons emerging from community employment schemes; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that cutbacks have been implemented in the number of days available for the education package form three days to two days; the reason this has occurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19797/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Participants on the Community Employment Scheme operated by FÁS can be released half-time from their work experience programmes to avail themselves of intensive literacy tuition organised by the Vocational Education Committees under the Return to Education Initiative. This arrangement enables them to combine work experience and 10 hours per week literacy tuition. Each VEC, subject to its budget, decides the nature and extent of the further education service to be provided in its area.

In relation to the issue raised the following explanation was received by my Department from the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA), the representative body for the 33 VECs in Ireland. The FÁS/VEC Return to Education Initiative has been delivered in VECs over the past five years. The course has been successful in achieving its overall objective of providing literacy support. Nationally however, there has been some variation in the organisational arrangements of the Return to Education Initiative programme. As a result, IVEA, on behalf of its member VECs, and FÁS undertook a review of current practices in order to explore and improve on areas of concern. These discussions concluded in a new interim agreement in September 2005.

The current Return to Education Initiative programme schedules 200 hours that can be delivered in a flexible manner by the provider. At the conclusion of the 200-hour programme, providers may request additional hours where it is felt that students require further support, which will be provided in agreement with FÁS. Therefore providers now have the opportunity, in certain situations to have in excess of the original 270 hours, which is a significant improvement.

IVEA and FÁS agree that these new proposals provide a greater flexibility in the delivery of the Return to Education Initiative. IVEA views this agreement as increasing, rather than decreasing, support to those who have specific needs around basic education. However, this is an interim agreement between FÁS and IVEA, it will be subject to change and development according to regular monitoring and evaluation.