Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1219. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made on the implementation of the SOLAS recommendations in the report SOLAS Response to the Findings of the Evaluation of the National Outreach Programme published in May 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29123/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSOLAS published its response to the findings of the ESRI’s Evaluation of the National Youthreach Programmes in 2019. That evaluation found that the Youthreach programmes had significant value in re-engaging a vulnerable group of young people with learning, providing courses and approaches tailored to their needs and embedding education and training provision within a broader network of supports. It made a number of suggestions to enhance the provision of Youthreach programmes.
In its response SOLAS noted that the evaluations’ findings to improve the Youthreach programmes while acknowledging the questions raised that needed to be considered in the wider context of the reform of Further Education and Training (FET) and the evolving strategy. Future FET:Transforming Learning, the FET Strategy 2020-24 was subsequently published in 2020.
The majority of the recommendations in the SOLAS response, continue to be implemented through the national FET Strategy 2020–24 under the Creating Pathways and Inclusion workstreams. Other specific recommendations, directly relating to the Youthreach Evaluation are being implemented by SOLAS, as part of the Strategic Performance Agreement process in conjunction with individual Education and Training Boards.
