asked the Minister for Labour if he will give details of the schemes approved by his Department for youth employment projects in County. Laois.
Written Answers. - Youth Employment Projects.
381.
I understand from the Youth Employment Agency that while a number of inquiries have been received from County Laois, firm proposals have emerged in one instance only. The agency gave Clonaslee Outdoor Pursuits Centre a grant of £4,000 in 1982 towards materials costs. However, representatives of the agency met in Athlone on 23 May 1983 with County Development Officers and representatives of the Midland Regional Development Organisation to discuss how best the agency's services can be utilised in the Midlands area, and the agency's role in relation to community development and youth employment projects was outlined at the meeting.
As far as the youth employment and training programmes operating under the aegis of my Department and its agencies are concerned, the following is the information requested, in respect of the years 1981, 1982 and 1983.
|
Grant Scheme for Youth Employment |
Grant Approved |
|
1981 |
|
|
Portlaoise Gaelic Football Club |
£7,050 |
|
Mountmellick Community Youth Development Assoc. |
£7,900 |
|
1982 |
|
|
Clonaslee Outdoor Pursuits Centre |
£9,842 |
|
Ballyfin Parish Table Tennis Club |
£1,980 |
|
Fr. Breen Park Development Committee, Abbeyleix |
£8,540 |
|
Mountmellick Macra na Feirme |
£5,460 |
|
Portlaoise Rugby Football Club |
£2,340 |
|
1983 |
|
|
Clonaslee Outdoor Pursuits Centre |
|
|
(extension of 1982 project) |
£8,250 |
|
Under consideration |
|
|
Fr. Breen Park Development Committee, Abbeyleix |
|
|
Portarlington Gaelic Football Club |
|
|
Cullohill Community Committee, Portlaoise |
Work Experience Programme
Numbers participating from Portlaoise N.M.S. Office
1981—37
1982—210
1983(to end May) — 40
AnCO Community Youth Training Programme
|
1981 |
|
|
Mountmellick Social Centre—Reconstruction and renovation of old school. |
|
|
1982 |
|
|
Presentation Convent in Durrow — Renovation of recreational facilities. |
|
|
1983 |
|
|
On-going— |
|
|
Salesian Missionary College, Portlaoise |
—Restoration and Presentation of Italian Gardens. |
|
—Restoration of Ancient Abbey Ruins. |
|
|
Approved— |
|
Castle town I.C.A. Guild |
— |
Renovation and extension of existing hall. |
|
Culleville |
Community Centre to commence in 1984. |
|
|
Portlaoise |
Renovation of existing hall to commence in November 1983. |
382.
Mr. Leonard
asked the Minister for Labour if he will widen the scope of youth employment schemes to embrace employment in forestry and turf production; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Grants are made available under the youth employment scheme for the employment of young people on desirable community works of a type which would not otherwise be undertaken in the normal course at the present time. The scheme is intended for voluntary community organisations.
AnCO's community youth training programme has a similar coverage. In addition, the programme is designed to provide on-the-job training for the young people involved. In the case of both the youth employment scheme and the AnCO community youth training programme, all application for assistance from community bodies are considered on their merits.
The environment works (youth employment) scheme administered by the Department of the Environment provides for the allocation of funds to local authorities for the employment of young people on works designed to effect lasting environmental improvements and to remedy conditions which take from the local environment. Examples of works undertaken are the provision of parks, open spaces, picnic sites, tree planting etc.
With regard to the work experience programme, any employing organisations both in the public and private sector may participate in the programme provided that they can offer worthwhile experience that will benefit the young people who participate.
Both Bord na Móna and the Department of Fisheries and Forestry are already participating and have provided programmes for young people in both their Dublin and regional offices.