Michael Creed
Ceist:194 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the amount of funds available for 1995 under the European orientation programme; and the way in which this money was spent in 1994. [3014/95]
Written Answers. - European Orientation Programme.
I am informed that this is an IBEC programme and therefore not one in which I have a direct function. However, I understand the programme is financed jointly by the private sector and a number of State agencies, including Forbairt, IDA Ireland, and SFADCo, agencies for which I have responsibility. The primary aim of the programme is to provide specialist training for young Irish graduates in marketing skills in Europe. In general, the programme operates on the basis of each sponsored graduate spending three months with the sponsor company in Ireland followed by three months studying in a language school on the Continent and finally a work placement in a host company in the same country.
I understand that in 1995, the programme organisers, IBEC, expect to place between 110 and 120 participants. Each participant will receive a bursary of £10,000, made up of £5,000 each from the sponsoring company and the appropriate State agencies. The sponsoring parties between them also contribute a management fee of £1,100 per placement to IBEC.
I also understand that a total of 73 participants started on the programme in 1994.