Vol. 509 No. 3
82 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that youth projects currently funded by area partnership companies will be continued after funding is exhausted at the end of 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20001/99]
The area based partnerships are funded at present as part of the EU aided Operational Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development 1994-99 co-ordinated by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation. The continued operation of partnership projects after the current round of EU Structural Funds will be influenced by emerging developments generally regarding both the negotiations for the new National Development Plan and the finalisation of the Estimates for the year 2000.
I am committed to the promotion of an integrated area-based approach to addressing educational disadvantage, and to the enhancement of links between education providers and community, youth, welfare, employer and training interests. My Department will continue to work closely with local development interests in the future to achieve the objective of integrated area planning and a strengthening of home, school and community links. The youth services have a critical role to play in this respect.
