Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
484. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that early school leaver applicants to community training centres must be in receipt of a welfare payment whereas similar applicants to YouthReach programmes do not have the same requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35506/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra485. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to standardise the access and eligibility criteria across ETB YouthReach and Community Training centre YouthReach programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35507/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together.
The Youthreach programme aims to provide early school leavers with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to participate fully in society and progress to further education, training and employment. The programme is delivered in two settings, Youthreach centres and Community Training Centres (CTCs). The ESRI’s Evaluation of the National Youthreach Programmes in 2019 found that the Youthreach programmes had significant value in re-engaging a vulnerable group of young people with learning, providing courses and a multiplicity of approaches tailored to their individual needs and embedding education and training provision within a broader network of supports.
The operation of the Youthreach programme in both settings is subject to Operator Guidelines in the case of Youthreach centres dating from 2015 and to Operating Standards for the CTCs dating from 2013.
The primary target group for Youthreach Centres is young people between 16 and 20 years of age. Those aged 15 years of age may, as an exceptional measure, be admitted to the Youthreach centres where they have left school with no possibility of return. This age group are not admissible to CTCs, who were set up by local community organisations to cater primarily for early school leavers between 16 and 21 years. Youthreach participants aged 16 and 17 in either setting receive an age-related training allowance, currently €45 per week. Learners over 18 years of age entering CTCs must undergo a Department of Social Protection (DSP) means test before they can qualify and receive their training allowance. However, learners in Youthreach centres are paid the training allowance once they are not in receipt of a DSP payment. When a learner starts on a Youthreach programme, The DSP are immediately informed to ensure no double payment takes place. This difference is historical in nature.
In its response to the ESRI Evaluation, SOLAS made a series of recommendations which included that ETBs should work together to develop and adopt a uniform approach to programme referral and entry into Youthreach based on existing good practice. SOLAS also proposed that the role of Youthreach programme guidelines be reviewed, given the central role of ETB planning and funding parameters in setting requirements from FET provision, and a cross-FET guidebook on programme practice should be developed to ensure clarity around programme expectations leading to clear pathways of progression opportunities for learners.
A key priority of Future FET: Transforming Learning, the national Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020-2024 is to ensure consistency of support for all learners. SOLAS is pursuing the implementation of its recommendations through the National FET Strategy and as part of the Strategic Performance Agreement process in conjunction with individual Education and Training Boards.
An Operational Guidelines Working Group (OGWG) has been established by ETBI to review the operational guidelines applying to CTCs, and Specialist Training Provision as well as Local Training Initiatives within the FET Sector. The Group, comprising of FET Staff from a number of ETBs will review the Guidelines and revise/update as required. They will look at areas such as deficiencies, common areas, good practices, siloed practices/outdated practices and ensure the learner is represented in delivering high quality ETB programmes to meet the needs of that learner. The OGWG is due to report to the ETB FET Directors later in 2022 and I expect that it will address the issues raised by the Deputy.
