Michael Noonan
Question:15 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the work undertaken by his Department since policy responsibility for youthreach has been transferred entirely to his Department. [15529/99]
Written Answers. - Youthreach Programme.
Since its inception, the youthreach programme for unqualified early school leavers has been overseen by an Inter-Departmental Committee on early school leaving representing my Department, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, FÁS and the national programme co-ordinators. In early 1996 following the ESF unit evaluation report on early school leavers provision, it was agreed that my Department would assume responsibility for policy in this area, but that delivery would continue to be provided jointly by FÁS and the vocational education committees in order to ensure the optimum range of choices for participants on the programme. It was also agreed in that context that responsibility for all matters relating to the network of senior traveller training centres would transfer to my Department along with the funding role for the payment of training allowances for youthreach participants within the VEC sector.
Following this agreement, a national co-ordinator for senior traveller training centres was recruited by my Department to co-ordinate a staff development programme, share good practice and report on the effectiveness of the service. It was not found possible to transfer the responsibility for the traveller centres and youthreach allowances in 1997, but a full changeover of these elements took place with effect from 6 April 1998.
Enhancements to the provision for early school leavers have been implemented on a phased basis including the provision of a FÁS advocate service to assist with initial orientation and assessment and progression opportunities; the development of a district approach under which all initiatives or expansion is prefaced by local meetings of all interested groups to ensure co-ordinated identification of priority needs and integrated area-based planning; the development in co-operation with the juvenile liaison service and the prison service of the copping on programme aimed at developing the skills of staff in challenging the behaviour of participants in a supportive environment in a range of areas covering crime, substance abuse, sexuality and relationships, handling conflict, dealing with peer pressure etc; the expansion of youthreach under the mid-term review of EU Structural Funds by some 2,637 places to meet a shortfall in places and improve progression from the programme; the widening of progression options through the provision of FÁS bridging measures, tailor made level 1 options within the VEC youthreach centres and opportunities to do the leaving certificate applied in a youthreach setting; the provision in 1998 for the first time of a guidance, counselling and psychological service for the programme; the provision of a child care measure for participants for the first time with effect from 1998; and the introduction of national certification by the National Council for Vocational Awards at foundation level in 1997 and at level 1 in 1999, providing a continuous pathway to level 2 PLC courses and from there to third level.
My Department maintains close contact with a range of interest groups and the youthstart national support structure with a view to ensuring that the quality and delivery of the programme continues to evolve in line with changing needs.