Greater co-operation between Government departments is required to make best use of training and educational resources and to tackle unemployment, a meeting in Dublin was told today.
Minister for Lifelong Learning Sean Haughey, Fine Gael TD Brian Hayes, Green TD Paul Gogarty and Labour Cllr Aodhán Ó Ríordáin participated in a "constituency clinic" event at the Davenport Hotel where they heard from education service providers and adult learners using the services.
The politicians were told of the difficulties the education and training sector is facing in attempting to cope with increased demand amid growing unemployment. Participants also expressed the frustration being experienced by those seeking to retrain, upskill and pursue their education as adults during the downturn.
"There needs to be greater synergy between the departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Education and Science, and the Department of Social and Family Affairs if we are to seriously address the unemployment crisis and make best use of limited resources," said Berni Brady, director of Aontas, the voluntary national adult learning organisation.
"The Government now has the opportunity to ensure that the connections between departments are strengthened in order to respond to the new challenges that have emerged over the past year and a half."
A Cabinet reshuffle is expected in the next few weeks along with major changes in the structure of some key Government departments. The Taoiseach is said to be considering creating a department of economic planning incorporating parts of the current Department of Enterprise and Employment.
One of the issues raised by adult learners today was the recent change in the Budget that means adults who receive the Back to Education Allowance will no longer be entitled to a maintenance grant. For many adults, especially those who dropped out of the formal system, this will mean a third level education is no longer affordable, Aontas said.
Education providers, including adult education officers (AEOs) working for VECs, outlined the challenges facing them, including the public sector recruitment embargo that was introduced last March.
"AEOs do not only perform an administrative role - they are crucial in the development of the service, they manage and co-ordinate volunteers as well as paid staff and are ultimately responsible for the recruitment, retention and support of learners," said Ms Brady.
"In Co Mayo, we now have a situation where both AEOs have retired in the past year, meaning that there is no one co-ordinating the service at a time when it is needed most. Staff managing the adult education service must be considered front line staff and should be exempt from the moratorium on recruitment."
Responding, the Minister said the current structure "is crying out for reform," adding: "There is an absolute need for greater connections between education and social welfare benefits."
Mr Hayes, Fine Gael spokesman on education, called on Mr Haughey to ensure that the role of adult and community education would be more formally recognised and taken seriously within the Department of Education.
Today's clinic was the closing event for the Aontas Adult Learners’ Festival, which featured some 300 events throughout the country during the week.
