Vol. 526 No. 4
85 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans she has to provide workplace literacy training; the discussions she has had with the Department of Education and Science on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26714/00]
The White Paper on Adult Education Learning for Life published recently by the Minister for Education and Science focused strongly on addressing the problem of low levels of adult literacy. A total of £73.6 million has been earmarked in the national development plan for adult literacy, and the number of clients catered for by the literacy service has increased from 5,000 to 13,000 in the past three years.
Specific workplace literacy programmes have been organised with the co-operation of unions and employers and the National Adult Literacy Agency has trained tutors to provide specific assistance in the workplace. A programme for workers in the hospitality industry is currently under way and further projects are being developed by NALA for local authority workers in co-operation with the Local Government Services Board.
The task force on lifelong learning which has been established by my Department in collaboration with the Department of Education and Science is examining the learning needs of low skilled persons in the workplace. My Department will continue to co-operate with the Department of Education and Science and other relevant stakeholders on literacy issues within the framework of the task force's work. I have no plans currently to provide workplace literacy training programmes separate from those being developed by NALA and the social partners.
