Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 452: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of new adult literacy places created since 2002; the cost of the number of places which have been created; the number of adult literacy places in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13801/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Adult Literacy and Basic Education are my top priority in Adult Education. The Adult Literacy services are funded by my Department through annual grants to the Vocational Education Committees, which deliver the services locally. The disbursement of funds is a matter for each VEC, which, subject to its budget, decides the nature and extent of the Adult Literacy services to be provided in its area and the manner in which funds for these services should be spent. The organisation and location of courses are also matters for decision by the VECs.

I am providing for an increase of €7.4 million, or 21%, this year for Adult Literacy and Community Education. This will allow for 3,000 additional literacy places in 2007. It will bring expenditure on adult Literacy up to €30 million, and the number of participants up to 38,000, compared to 28,000 in 2002, when expenditure on Adult Literacy was €16.7 million.

The increased provision this year also includes an additional €1million for an Intensive Tuition in Adult Basic Education Programme, bringing the total funding for this programme up to €2 million. This programme provides participants with 6-8 hours tuition, rather than the normal 2 hours per week.

To cater for the literacy and basic education needs of immigrant groups, literacy funds may be used by Vocational Education Committees to teach English to speakers of other languages. Almost 10,000 students availed of tuition in English under the English for Speakers of Other Languages programme in 2005, comprising 27% of participants in adult literacy programmes.