Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 6

Written Answers - Youthreach Programme.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

88 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science when it is intended to provide the additional resources for the Youthreach programme as promised in an Action Programme for the Millennium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16583/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

There are 4,525 places currently available on the Youthreach-Traveller programme provided by my Department jointly with FÁS.

As part of the Mid-Term Review of Structural Funds 1994-99, initiatives have been agreed for implementation in 1998 and 1999 under which £19.733 million will be provided for a minimum of 1,000 additional places for early school leavers in the Youthreach and Traveller training programmes. Arrangements are under way to establish 750 Youthreach places and 250 Traveller places with a view to having them operational at the beginning of 1998 by FÁS and the vocational education committees; £0.987 million will be provided for the strengthening of counselling, guidance and psychological services for participants on these programmes. A task force is being established to define and quantify needs in this area in collaboration with the National Centres for Guidance in Education and in FÁS, with a view to implementation in early 1998; and £1.97 million will be provided for bridging and progression options for early school leavers through the FÁS training system, and 725 places within the FÁS system will be re-deployed to progression options for Youthreach and Traveller trainees in 1998.