Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in establishing a formal funding mechanism for the non-formal education sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5088/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The EC (2001) Communication on Lifelong Learning defines three types of learning: formal, non-formal and informal learning. Non-formal learning is defined as learning that is not provided by an education or training institution and typically does not lead to certification. It is, however, structured (in terms of learning objectives, learning time or learning support). Non-formal learning is intentional from the learner's perspective.

There is no formal structure for the funding of the non-formal education sector. However, my department through the Community Education Programme funds the type of education outlined in the definition of non-formal education for adults. The Community Education Programme is one of a suite of adult education programmes designed to provide those adults who want to return to education with a second chance. The nature of the funding provided is at the discretion of the VEC. One form of regular support is through the provision of tutor hours to local groups.

Funds for Community Education services are provided by my Department to the Vocational Education Committees. The disbursement of these funds is a matter for each VEC, which, subject to its budget, decides the nature of the Community Education service to be provided in its area and the manner in which the funds should be spent. It is open to the groups involved in the non-formal education sector to submit applications to their local VECs for funding for their activities.

The Back To Education Initiative (BTEI) Programme, Community Strand element, is another programme in the suite of adult education programmes mentioned previously that provides funding to community groups for non-formal education to adults. The non-formal education activities in the Community Education Programme and the BTEI Community strand programme include outreach activities, personal development and confidence building work, basic tuition and literacy learning, parenting courses, pre-development, taster courses to encourage people to return to education, other hobby and leisure type courses.