Enda Kenny
Question:27 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to bridge the age gap between youthreach and back to education programmes. [15530/99]
Written Answers. - Education and Training Programmes.
The gap in question arises from the fact that youthreach is currently aimed at unqualified early school leavers in the 15-18 age group, whereas the vocational training opportunity scheme caters for unemployed adults aged 21 upwards.
The Green Paper on adult education in an era of lifelong learning proposes a back to education initiative aimed at those in the population with less than upper secondary education through an expansion of part time options under youthreach, VTOS and PLC courses.
While I have no plans to lower the age threshold for VTOS below 21, the Green Paper proposes that barriers to progression of youthreach-eligible early school leavers in the 18-20 age group should be removed under the back to education initiative. Under this arrangement, unemployed young people who left school with either minimal or no qualifications, i.e less than five Ds at junior cycle would be facilitated to participate in education and training programmes while retaining an allowance.
It is important to note that people in the 18-20 age group may re-enter the education system if they wish to pursue either general programmes or PLC courses, but what is at issue under youthreach and VTOS is the payment of a training allowance. Such participants may also avail, under the usual conditions, of a range of programmes provided by FÁS.
With regard to the back to education initiative, funds of £0.5 million have been provided this year for the introduction of some 900 part time places under youthreach, VTOS and PLC courses. A working group has been set up to progress the initiative. As part of the process, the age barrier to progression for youthreach eligible participants will be removed.