Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
624. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the current role of community training centres within our education system. [53815/23]
View answer625. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how community training centres remain relevant to the needs of young people and employers in an ever-changing job market and educational landscape. [53816/23]
View answer626. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how community training centres align with the broader national further and higher educational and workforce development goals. [53817/23]
View answer627. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to enhance funding and support for community training centres; or if there are plans to withdraw funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53818/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 624, 625, 626 and 627 together.
Community Training Centres (CTCs) are non-profit making companies with Boards that are broadly representative of the community. Since 1977, CTCs have been involved in innovative training for marginalised groups and since the introduction of the Youthreach programme in 1989, their focus has been on Early School Leavers. Funded by SOLAS through the local Education and Training Boards, there are 31 Community Training Centres across the country. In 2022, over 2,000 Youthreach learners, aged 16-21 years of age, attended CTCs and the total ETB grant allocations amounted to €29.5m. The ESRI’s Evaluation of the National Youthreach Programmes in 2019 found that the Youthreach programmes had significant value in re-engaging a vulnerable group of young people with learning, providing courses and approaches tailored to their needs and embedding education and training provision within a broader network of supports. It found clear and distinct value in the provision provided in both the Youthreach centre and CTC contexts. In its response to the evaluation, SOLAS advocated the continued provision in both Youthreach centre and CTC settings while acknowledging the need for more coordinated and effective planning across all youth education and training at ETB level.
It also identified the need to more closely link youthreach to pathways within FET and beyond, and to ensure that it continues to evolve to meet the changing and more complex needs of its learners. The majority of the recommendations in the SOLAS response, continue to be implemented through the national FET Strategy 2020–24 under the Creating Pathways and Inclusion workstreams while other specific recommendations, directly relating to the Youthreach Evaluation are being implemented by SOLAS, as part of the Strategic Performance Agreement process in conjunction with individual Education and Training Boards. CTCs provide a vital service for learners across the country, helping them to further their education, upskill, build their confidence and self-esteem and move towards employment.
