Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if any element of the lifestart project is funded by his Department directly; if so, if he will outline the way it is funded, the locations and the amount of funding provided; if there is scope for any further funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40138/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not provide funding directly to the Lifestart Project.

My Department funds adult and community education through annual grants to Vocational Education Committees (VECs) under the Adult Literacy and Community Education Scheme (ALCES). VECs deliver courses locally and disburse funds to other local bodies to deliver courses. Decisions on the nature, extent, organisation and location of courses is a matter for individual VECs. In relation to this project, I am aware that both County Offaly and Kildare VECs have provided funding to the Lifestart Project under the ALCES for a number of years. Co Offaly VEC ceased funding at the end of 2011 and I understand that County Kildare VEC has decided to cease funding later this year.