Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the necessary funding that will be provided through the vocational education committees, the Health Service Executive and any other bodies such as partnerships or the National Lottery to ensure the continuation of the Kildare-Offaly Lifestart programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14094/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department funds adult and community education through annual grants to Vocational Education Committees (VECs) which deliver these courses locally. The disbursement of funds is a matter for each VEC which, subject to its budget, decides the nature and extent of the adult and community education courses to be provided in its area. The organisation and location of courses are also matters for decision by the VECs. Both County Offaly VEC and County Kildare VEC have informed my Department that funding of over €30,000 will be provided by each VEC from their adult and community education provision to the Lifestart project in 2011.

I understand from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government that in 2011, funding will be allocated to the Lifestart project through Offaly Local Development Company (OLDC) and County Kildare LEADER Partnership (CKLP) under the Local Community Development Programme (LCDP). The OLDC has allocated some €6,000 to the project to cover overhead costs and running expenses and assist in the delivery of the service and CKLP has allocated €6,500 to the project to fund the delivery of one to one support for disadvantaged parents, focusing on health, education and the general well-being of children.

My colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, will reply in relation to the Health Service Executive (HSE).