Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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417. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to improve access to adult literacy and numeracy classes; his Department's current budget and projected budget in the period ahead; and the initiatives he will take to enhance lifelong learning for adults and early school leavers. [16022/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The delivery and enhancement of adult literacy and numeracy provision is being driven through the implementation of the Further Education and Training (FET) Literacy and Numeracy Strategy which is contained in the FET Strategy 2014-19.

My Department, along with SOLAS, the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and partner agencies are collaborating on the ongoing development and enhancement of the structures required to progress its implementation. The strategy sets out 12 inter- related elements which aim to promote, develop and encourage literacy and numeracy skills in the adult population. Progress to date includes the development and launch of the national awareness campaign, ‘take the first step’, development of national guidelines for the initial and on-going screening and assessment of participants and the publication of a number of research projects including the examination of integrating literacy and numeracy in FET programmes and an examination of barriers to participation in FET programmes .

Adult literacy provision is delivered through a number of dedicated programmes including adult literacy groups and intensive tuition in adult basic education. Last year, over €33million was provided to support adult literacy and numeracy provision for over 60,000 beneficiaries. The detail of resourcing and planned beneficiary numbers for overall adult literacy provision is not yet finalised, but will be similar to that provided last year.

Increasing participation in life-long learning is a key priority for this Government. The Higher Education System Performance Framework 2018-20, which I published earlier this year, reinforces the target set in the National Skills Strategy 2025, to increase by 10% the number of those aged 25-64 engaged in lifelong learning by 2020 and by 15% by 2025. Lifelong learning can comprise formal, non-formal and informal learning. Research findings have indicated that lowering the barriers to adult participation in learning calls for increased modes of delivery that help overcome time constraints. Flexibility in FET provision will continue to be expanded and enhanced.  Last year almost 160, 000 beneficiaries engaged on part time FET programmes – of which 15,000 were facilitated through evening training and a further 10,000 online through eCollege. As part of the National Strategy for Higher Education and the implementation of a system performance framework for the sector HEIs have agreed objectives for access and lifelong learning with the Higher Education Authority (HEA). Since 2014 HEIs have reported on these objectives through a strategic dialogue process with the HEA. Overall analyses of progress have been published in reports on higher education system performance (www.hea.ie). 

Finally, my Department has begun work on the development of a plan for the implementation of the EU Council Recommendation on Upskilling Pathways: New Opportunities for Adults Recommendation – which aims to help adults with less than upper second level education acquire a minimum level of literacy, numeracy and digital skills. Details of the implementation arrangements will be finalised later this year and will be submitted to the Commission.