Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
453. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which a Youthreach co-ordinator resource person can assume the role of designated liaison person and deputy designated liaison person when he or she is not required to be registered with the Teaching Council and is not deemed to be a teacher by his or her respective employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32708/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra463. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if Youthreach centres of education are bound by the terms of circular letter 0081/2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32493/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra469. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which a Youthreach co-ordinator resource person can assume the role of designated liaison person and deputy designated liaison person when the person is not required to be registered with the Teaching Council and is not deemed to be a teacher by the person's respective employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32544/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 453, 463 and 469 together.
Youthreach is an education and training programme delivered in out of school settings to young people aged 16 – 20 who have left the mainstream school system early. It is a further education programme operated by Education and Training Boards. The programme aims to provide young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate fully in society and progress to further education, training and employment.
Department of Education and Skills circular 81 of 2017 advised school authorities on the new "Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017" which came into effect on 11 December 2017. These procedures apply to all schools and centres of education as defined under the Education Act 1998 and Youthreach centres come under this definition.
The staff in Youthreach is made up of Youthreach Co-ordinators, Youthreach Resource Persons and teachers. Youthreach Co-ordinators and Resource Persons have their own terms and conditions and are a separate grade to teachers. Accordingly, they do not require to be registered with the Teaching Council, which is the body with statutory authority under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 for the professional regulation, including registration, of teachers in the State.
It has been a longstanding practice for Youthreach Co-ordinators to fulfill the role of the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) in Youthreach centres. This is an important function given the often complex needs of participating learners. In the centres for education where staffing and governance arrangements differ to those of recognised schools there is a need to modify arrangements as necessary to take account of the requirement to have a DLP in place at a suitably senior level.
A Resource Person in a Youthreach centre is required to deputise for the co-ordinator when necessary as part of their terms and conditions and they take on the role of the Deputy DLP for this reason.
