Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 804: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the level of funding provided by her Department through the vocational educational committees for adult literacy; the level of funding provided for tutor training for adult basic literacy and for group tuition; if she plans to reduce this funding in 2008; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that 500,000 people here have low levels of literacy. [14152/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) carried out an international literacy survey of adults aged 16–64 in 1994/95. Findings indicated that approximately half a million people, 25% of Irish adults in that age-group, were at the lowest level (Level One), indicating a reading ability no higher than that of an average 12-year old.

Adult literacy is my top priority in Adult Education. There are no plans to reduce literacy funding at any stage in the future. In fact, the contrary is correct. In "Towards 2016", a commitment to increased investment has been made. In 2006, €20 million was provided to the VECs for their adult literacy activities. This year, in the region of €26 million will be provided for adult literacy through the VEC sector. This will increase the number of VEC adult literacy students from 35,000 to 38,000. There will be increased funding also in 2008 and 2009.

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.

My Department does not provide specific funding for tutor training to the VECs. However the VECs provide for tutor training from their annual funding provision. The level of funding provided is at the discretion of each individual VEC. In addition, the Department provides funding to other bodies which offer tutor training, viz. the National Adult Literacy Agency and Waterford Institute of Technology.