Vol. 504 No. 2
332 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of people who will commence Youthreach in all its aspects in 1999; the number he expects to complete the scheme; and the expected rate of drop out. [11664/99]
333 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has undertaken any review of Youthreach since he assumed full policy responsibility for the scheme; and, if so, the nature of this review. [11665/99]
334 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the policy unit in place within his Department to supervise Youthreach and the organisations represented on any advising council on this programme. [11666/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 to 334, inclusive, together.
Overall, between Youthreach in FÁS and the vocational education committees and the network of senior traveller training centres which caters for traveller early school leavers, it is envisaged that 7,162 participants will be catered for in the foundation and progression phases of the programmes. The drop out rate without completing the programme, based on 1997 trends, is expected to be of the order of 24 per cent.
The delivery of Youthreach is overseen by an interdepartmental committee on early school leaving which includes representation from the Department of Education and Science, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and FÁS. National co-ordinators for the programme are in place in FÁS and the education sector is to monitor and report on the delivery of the programme, to organise staff development, to advise on good practice, and to liaise with various interests. Through these structures close contact is maintained with the national youthstart support structure, the National Youth Council, the National Youth Federation, and area development management. The policy unit responsible within my Department is the further education section.
Youthreach is one of the programmes aided by the European Social Fund as part of the operational programme for human resources development 1994-99, and as such is one of the programmes reported on formally on a twice yearly basis to the EU human resources monitoring committee which includes representatives of the European Commission, ICTU, IBEC, the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, the National Youth Council, the community workers co-op and the ESF and CSF evaluation units.
The programme has been evaluated by the European Social Fund evaluation unit in 1996, and has also featured extensively in the report of the National Economic and Social Forum on youth unemployment and early school leaving, in the mid-term review of the human resources operational programme, and in evaluations of the community support framework by the ESRI. In addition, a thematic evaluation of progression is currently under way by the ESF evaluation unit.
The ESRI have pointed to the marked difference between Youthreach participants views of the programme and their prior experience of schooling. For those who leave school early with no qualifications, Youthreach represents a new opportunity to succeed in a learning environment, a gradual return of self-esteem and the means to progress to further education or employment. A progression rate of 70 per cent to further education and employment is a clear indication that the programme is working successfully.
