Vol. 482 No. 3
397 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will grant a pilot alternative educational project for under 15s to Bray and North Wicklow Youthreach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17969/97]
The Youthreach programme is designed to provide integrated general education, vocational training and work experience for unqualified early school leavers in the 15 to 18 year age group. As under 15 year olds fall outside the remit of the Youthreach programme, my Department was not in a position to approve this project which was proposed by the Town of Bray Vocational Education Committee. The position was explained in a recent letter to the vocational education committee.
This letter also referred to a new initiative to cater for the needs of young people at risk in the eight to 15 year age group. The initiative was announced following the mid-term review of the EU Structural Funds and my Department is currently developing the details of a programme, preparatory to inviting applications for funding in 1998 and 1999.
