Vol. 459 No. 6
149 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the progress, if any, that has been made in relation to the commencement of projects under the Youthstart Employment Initiative; the areas in which the scheme will operate; the level of funding available; the number of job opportunities likely to be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18805/95]
Youthstart is one of the three strands of the European Union's employment initiative. The initiative supports innovative projects working on a transnational basis and dealing with the labour market problems of disadvantaged young people. The specific areas under which projects are funded are firstly, the development of training, education, guidance, advice, counselling and employment systems, and secondly, training, education and placement provision.
In July of this year, I approved 20 projects to proceed to a development phase, during which the project sponsors refine and develop their plans and objectives and consolidate their transnational partnerships. This development phase extends to the end of this month. I will forward a letter of provisionally approved projects to the Deputy. If approved to proceed to the implementation stage, projects will continue until the end of 1997. During 1997, there will be a further opportunity for project sponsors to apply for funding. They will be assisted in this through an information campaign which my Department will organise in advance.
