Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 6

Written Answers. - Youthreach Programme.

Richard Bruton

Question:

397 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of places available for persons aged 15 to 21 who left school with poor qualifications; the number of places at first, second and further years where they are multiple year programmes; and the type of programme involved. [6675/99]

Richard Bruton

Question:

398 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of young persons under 21 with no qualifications who participated in 1996 on Youthreach, specific skills training, community employment and on VTOS in view of the 1996 NESF report on early school leaving; the number participating in 1999; and if the targeted increase has been achieved. [6677/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 398 together.

The 15 to 21 group who left school with poor qualifications is catered for by my Department under the Youthreach and the senior traveller training programmes which are administered by the vocational education committees. Participants in the VTOS programme must be over 21 years. The approved number of places under Youthreach and under the senior traveller training centres is currently 2,843 and 697 respectively.

Both of these programmes are aimed at early school leavers with varying degrees of knowledge, ability and commitment. A prescriptive approach as to the numbers completing foundation level in first year and progression level in second year was not adopted at central level to ensure that local centres would have the maximum flexibility to respond to local needs.

The average number of Youthreach participants in the VEC sector during 1996 was 1,736. Responsibility for the senior travellers programme was transferred to my Department from FÁS in April 1998 and details of participation rates for 1996 are not available.

Information on participation rates in 1999 under both of these programmes is currently being gathered and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

In addition to the foregoing, early school leavers can obtain places on certain courses, such as hairdressing, in my Department's post leaving certificate programme. In these cases, the school authorities would first have satisfied themselves that individuals had the ability to benefit from the course despite their lack of formal qualifications.