The main recommendations

The main recommendations of Adult Education in an Era of Lifelong Learning:

The implementation of a national literacy programme

The phased development of a back-to-education initiative for adults who have not completed upper second-level education. Youthreach, PLCs and VTOS to be extended and made available on part-time bases.

The development of services to support access to adult education, including childcare and guidance.

The implementation of a national qualifications framework under TEASTAS.

The establishment of a working group to examine the recognition of staff qualifications in the adult and training sector.

The establishment of a forum for practitioners of adult and community education to share good practice, ensure consistency and inform policy development.

The establishment of a representative National Adult Learning Council as an executive agency of the Department of Education and Science to promote a co-ordinated strategy.

The establishment of local adult education boards representing key local interests, to plan needs and deploy resources.

O'Dea is adamant: A White Paper by the end of the year

A white paper by the end of the year - Willie O'Dea, Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, with special responsibility for adult education, is adamant about it.

"I have a specific mandate from the Government to reorganise and rationalise the adult education system and we are proceeding according to plan," he asserts. The White Paper will be binding on this and successive Governments, he adds.

O'Dea is about to invite submissions on the Green Paper and will meet interest groups to discuss the issues. Up to seven regional public seminars are planned during February. These endeavours will culminate in a National Forum on Adult Education, he promises.

Meanwhile, AONTAS, the National Association of Adult Education, is engaged in its own consultation process. It has organised regional meetings to discuss the Green Paper in Longford (February 6th), Limerick (February 20th), Dublin (March 6th).