Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2024
171. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will extend the deadline for sectoral input responses to a report (details supplied), as the request to ETBI on 22 March, with a deadline of 25 March, is a timeline that appears wholly inadequate to facilitate valid sectoral feedback and input; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16764/24]
View answer172. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the timeline for completion of a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16798/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.
The Youthreach Employee Wellbeing Report 2022: A review of employees experience of working in the Youthreach Sector was published by Maynooth University in January 2023. Based on a survey of 325 staff, or some 33% of the sector, it found significant challenges facing frontline Youthreach sector staff and workplace stress but nonetheless found higher levels of wellbeing by comparison to teaching staff at other levels of education. The report highlighted the dedication and commitment of Youthreach staff to their student cohort.
The key role of relationships with staff in re-engaging young people with learning was also highlighted in the ESRI’s Evaluation of the Youthreach Programme which also noted how coping with the needs of young people, especially in terms of psychological and mental health, is seen to require CPD and additional supports for staff.
The Youthreach programme is staffed by Co-ordinators, Resource Persons and teachers with nationally agreed terms and conditions of employment. They have specific, clearly defined job descriptions. which were designed very much with the programmes structure in mind. Template contracts of employment for Youthreach were negotiated and agreed by all stakeholders.
I understand that Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) issued a follow-up sectoral response survey last month to the 6 ETBs. ETBI are engaging with the ETBs to extend the time available for the ETBs to engage with the Youthreach staff by two weeks. ETBI will consider the individual ETB responses and prepare a report for SOLAS and my Department on the issues raised and measures taken in relation to Youthreach.
