Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to secure a funding increase on the amount allocated (details supplied) for adult literacy provision in 2016 in advance of budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40211/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Overall funding for further education and training (FET) will be determined through the estimates process for Budget 2019. It should be noted that funding for FET is allocated to SOLAS, who then allocate to the education and training boards (ETBs) through a strategic planning process. There is some discretion for SOLAS and the ETBs in relation to how funding is allocated across all of the FET programmes, including adult literacy.

Historically there has been insufficient focus on the basic skills of people who are in employment. I recently launched a new policy framework for employee development, 'Supporting Working Lives and Enterprise Growth in Ireland'. This sets a target of having over 40,000 workers, whose skills level is below Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications, engaged in state supported skills development by 2021. This will supplement the numbers already being supported through our adult literacy programmes.