Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:132 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, there are for the future of the Youthreach Programme. [2516/97]
Written Answers. - Youthreach Programme.
Youthreach provides an integrated programme of education, training and work experience for unqualified early school leavers in the 15-18 year age group. The programme is funded by the Exchequer and assisted by the European Social Fund under the terms of the operational programme 1994-99. At present 2,000 places are provided in the vocational education committee sector and an expansion of 450 extra is under way, and approximately 1,525 places are provided by FÁS.
Agreement has been reached in principle for the Minister for Education to assume entire policy responsibility for early school leavers, with delivery of programmes continuing to be provided jointly by FÁS and the vocational education committees. Following the launch of the report of the National Economic and Social Forum entitled Early School Leaving and Youth Unemployment, the Government has decided to establish an inter-departmental working group to examine the recommendations in the report speedily.
While there will be continued need for programmes to cater for those who have left school early, it is a fundamental objective of the Government that retention rates to completion of senior cycle education be increased to 90 per cent by the end of the decade. A range of strategies are in place to support this objective and address educational disadvantage and substantial progress is being made in improving retention rates.