asked the Minister for Labour if he is satisfied with the present level of EEC funding for youth employment and training schemes in Ireland.
Written Answers. - Youth Training Schemes.
39.
Ireland is benefiting from the European Social Fund to a considerable extent for schemes relating to the training of young persons. To date, grants amounting to £2.2 million have been approved in respect of 1977 operations under a specific category of fund aid for young people which gives priority to those seeking employment for the first time. It is expected that further grants amounting to £2.0 million in this category will be approved for 1977 operations. In addition, a number of other training programmes financed under other areas of fund intervention, which include large numbers of young persons, have been approved for assistance from the fund.
Up to now no EEC funding has been available for measures to promote youth employment other than vocational training measures and certain limited pilot projects on preemployment preparation of young people. However, at its meeting on 28th October last, the Council of Ministers asked the Commission to submit proposals for a new form of aid for the promotion of employment and centering on young people. I will be pressing strongly for the urgent adoption by the Council of Ministers of such an aid and for the provision of the additional resources necessary to finance the new aid.