Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2024
91. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if 2024 will see increased funding for community training centres in Dublin's north inner city, Dublin 1 and Dublin 3. [1920/24]
View answerCommunity Training Centres (CTCs) are non-profit making companies with governing 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.
There are currently two CTCs operating in the area mentioned by the Deputy, which receive funding from City of Dublin Education and Training Board. These are the Lourdes Youth and Community Services (LYCS) CTC and the St. Vincent’s CTC. While both Centres each have capacity for 40 learners, there are currently 28 learners enrolled in LYCS CTC and 33 learners enrolled in St. Vincent’s CTC. The Lourdes CTC has recently relocated to the Metropolitan Building on James Joyce Street.
City of Dublin ETB also offers the Youthreach Programme in 2 Youthreach Centres operated by the ETB and located in North Great George’s Street and in Parnell Square. The capacity of these two Youthreach Centres is 126 and the enrolment in late 2023 was 113. Having regard to the excess capacity in the two CTCs involved and the wider Youthreach provision in the area, City of Dublin ETB has no plans to expand the available provision beyond the current capacity at the present time. The funding for the two CTCs in 2024 will be dictated by learner numbers in each centre, as per previous years funding allocation.
Regarding the north inner city more broadly, my Department is represented on the North East Inner City (NEIC) Taskforce. The Government has also approved a masterplan for the National Centre for Research and Remembrance on Sean McDermott Street. This includes museum and archival space and also social housing, further and higher education and facilities for community-based family and parenting supports.
