Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 1

Written Answers. - Youthreach Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

221 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education the criteria for approval of Youthreach programmes; and the way in which a community in County Meath could go about applying to establish such a programme in addition to the one already operating in Navan, County Meath.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The Youthreach programme for unqualified early school leavers is delivered jointly by my Department and the Department of Enterprise and Employment, through the vocational education committees and FÁS respectively. New centres under the programme are established following examination of trends in early school leaving recorded on the social guarantee register and on the basis of feedback from FÁS and the vocational education committees.

If it is considered that there is a sustainable demand for the establishment of a Youthreach programme in a particular area, an approach should be made to the local vocational education committee. I have no plans to extend the network of Youthreach centres in the education sector during 1993. However, any new demands could be examined in the context of the 1994 Estimates and the new round of EC Structural Funds.