Vol. 518 No. 4
296 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide recognition and funding for Tanagh Outdoor Education Centre in view of the work it is doing with young people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12107/00]
The report of the working group established to review the operation of recognised outdoor education centres that are owned and managed by vocational education committees is currently under consideration in my Department. This examination is being undertaken with a view to developing future policies relating to Vocational Education Committee outdoor education centres. The position of Tanagh and other VEC outdoor education centres which are not currently recognised for the purposes of grant-aid in respect of staffing and equipment costs will be considered in that context.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the expansion of the network of outdoor education centres will, amongst other things, be subject to standard budgetary constraints in relation to the availability of funding.
