asked the Minister for Education the policy of his Department with regard to the youth encounter projects in Limerick, Finglas, Cork and Dublin city centre; the plans and proposals of his Department in this regard, together with any data or documentation already on record relevant to these projects; when they will come into operation; and how they are to be funded.
Written Answers. - Youth Encounter Projects.
164.
The youth encounter projects are being established in response to a recommendation in the second interim report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Mentally-ill and Maladjusted Persons, the Henchy Committee, which dealt with the provision of treatment for juvenile offenders and potential juvenile offenders. The report recommended that day attendance centres should be set up by the Department of Education in the larger centres of population for children whom the committee referred to as "cultural delinquents" and that parents and voluntary workers should be encouraged to become involved in the operation of these centres. Basically, the projects are an alternative to residential special schooling for certain children who are persistent truants or minor delinquents or at risk of becoming delinquent.
The youth encounter projects are pilot projects for a four-year period during which their effectiveness will be evaluated. Children will only be enrolled in the projects after appropriate assessment. Each project will cater for approximately 20 children on a full-time basis, with provision for taking additional children whose needs may be part-time. The distinctive feature of the projects is that each is being organised under the auspices of an existing youth organisation. Each project will have three full-time staff, but there will also be a high input of voluntary work, particularly from young people.
Each project will include both an educational and an out-of school programme. The educational programme will involve remedial and compensatory education, in a special school environment appropriate to the needs of maladjusted children. This programme will be extremely flexible and innovatory. There will also be an out-of-school programme which will involve a wide range of recreational and social activities. Both programmes will attempt to cater for the developmental needs of the young people involved and to encourage more mature and responsible forms of personal and social behaviour. The centres have been given wide discretion in this respect and each will be free to develop its own particular ethos.
The projects in Cork and Limerick have already commenced operation. The project in Finglas will commence as soon as a building being acquired for the purpose has been adapted. Planning is in progress for the second project in Dublin, which will be located in the central city area.
The projects are being funded, firstly, through their recognition formally as special national schools as far as the educational side of the programme is concerned and secondly, by means of a grant from the youth fund in respect of the out of school aspects of the programme.