Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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75. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will include in the new adult literacy and numeracy strategy currently being developed as part of the further education and training strategy the following elements, awareness raising of learning opportunities and support greater engagement by persons with literacy and numeracy needs in FET, integrated literacy and numeracy into all FET programmes thereby ensuring that relevant literacy and numeracy are developed as part of the subject specific learning, intensive learning programmes for people who are unemployed in the workplace and supporting families, blended learning and recognition of prior learning to acquire qualifications at NFQ Levels 1-4 and an efficient system for evaluating, monitoring and reporting progress and achievement against national targets. [7073/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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SOLAS, with the input of the ESRI is currently undertaking a comprehensive consultation process with a range of key informants inside and outside of the Further Education and Training (FET) sector including relevant Departments and Agencies, employers, unions, advocacy groups and learners as part of the development of a five year strategy for the FET Sector. This is taking place under the direction of the Board of SOLAS and my Department.

It is expected that a proposed FET Strategy will be available for my consideration towards the end of March 2014. The FET Strategy will include a strategy for the provision of further education and training programmes in the State aimed at promoting, developing and encouraging literacy and numeracy. The precise contents of the Strategy are, in the first instance, a matter for the SOLAS Board. It should be noted, however, that many of the items raised by the Deputy arose in the context of the recent review of adult literacy provision, which is an important input into the strategy.