Vol. 457 No. 8
27 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has for a further development of the Youthreach service; her plans, in particular for developing services for individuals referred by the gardaí and the probation services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16157/95]
To date 2,000 places have been allocated by my Department to the vocational education committees for the youthreach programme. Provision has been made for an additional 450 youthreach places in the education sector in 1995-96. Vocational education committees are being invited to submit proposals for filling these additional places. In this context, an emphasis will be placed on maximising co-ordination with the activities of other agencies in the region and with the plans of the local area based partnerships under the local urban and rural development operational programme. An information day was held on 10 October, 1995, with the chief executive officers of the vocational education committees to outline this approach.
All the services including the Garda, probation services and the social services may, subject to the availability of places, make direct referrals to the individual youthreach centres. Particular priority is given by my Department, in the allocation of places, to proposals to cater for young persons in the most disadvantaged and "at risk" categories. The vocational education committees are being advised that their proposals should give particular attention to the needs of special youthreach groups such as eligible lone parents and young offenders. In addition they are being advised that consideration will be given to special initiatives, in association with the health and welfare agencies, for young persons with drug addiction or other substance abuse problems.
My Department has a range of strategies in place to prevent early school leaving, including early intervention measures, additional staff and resources for schools in disadvantaged areas, home school community liaison initiatives, remedial, guidance and psychological service, staff development programmes and curricular reforms.
