asked the Minister for Labour the number of young persons who availed themselves of youth employment funding in 1983 under (a) the ACOT certificate in farming programme; (b) the farm apprenticeship scheme and, (c) the community and youth enterprise programme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Youth Employment Funding.
758.
The following is the information requested by the Deputy: (a) At the end of 1983, a total of 1,549 young persons were participating in the ACOT Certificate in Farming programme. (b) At the end of 1983, a total of 300 young persons were participating in the Farm Apprenticeship Scheme. (c) The Community and Youth Enterprise Programme was launched in June 1983 with the aim of providing advice, assistance and support to community organisations seeking to establish sustainable community-based businesses at local level.
During the period June to December 1983 the programme approved support to 25 community groups. In the main, this support consisted of payment of business planning grants to community groups at an early stage of development and the employment by community groups of full-time enterprise workers (14 in all) to enable development of business ideas to the point of commercial start-up.
In addition to the 25 community groups mentioned, a further 11 community and co-operative groups which applied to the agency prior to the start up of the Community and Youth Enterprise Programme have commenced business with support from the agency and currently employ approximately 110 young people.
I might finally add that the programme is still at a formative stage of development. The number of community groups and projects involved is expected to expand significantly as the programme develops.
The Dáil adjourned at 2.33 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 3 May 1984.