AQO 980/08

Mrs Naomi Long
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 13/11/2007
Answered On Date: 26/11/2007
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning if he will make a statement on the future of community education, in light of the proposed end of funding to the Educational Guidance Service for Adults, the Workers' Educational Association and the Ulster People's College.

Answer:

The Department currently provides core funding to the Educational Guidance Service for Adults to introduce adults to learning and provide them with educational guidance. In line with government procurement policy, the Department proposes to tender for this service from 1 April 2008 and the Educational Guidance Service for Adults will be in a position to tender for the service.

The Department contracts with the Workers Educational Association and the Ulster People's College for the purchase of a limited range of provision. Both contracts are due to expire in August 2008.The Department will shortly bring forward proposals to enable community education providers to better collaborate with Further Education colleges in supporting adult learners.

The Further Education statutory sector will, of course, continue to deliver a wide range of community education through its extensive network of premises including some 850 Outreach Centres across Northern Ireland.