Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004
147 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if the Youthreach programme will be extended in the academic year 2004-05; if he will provide an update on the locations where the programme is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21027/04]
View answerYouthreach is an inter-departmental initiative between the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for young people who left school early without qualifications or with incomplete qualifications. The programme is delivered in 90 Youthreach centres managed by the VECs and 48 community training workshops supported by FÁS. In all over 7,000 young people are provided with specialised training and work experience to help them develop their skills and employment opportunities.
Having regard to the number of places currently available on the programme, together with the strategies in place to promote school completion and address the needs of young people at risk of early school leaving, my Department has no plans at present to extend the VEC Youthreach programme. I will arrange to have a list of VEC Youthreach centres forwarded to the Deputy.
