Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
374. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science who funds workers (details supplied) at an organisation; if their pay comes from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20084/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraYouthreach is a national programme, offered by the 16 Education and Training Boards, which aims to provide young early school leavers with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to participate fully in society and progress to further education, training and employment. There is no national Youthreach bus service.
The non-pay funding SOLAS provides to the ETBs can be used to cover the cost of overheads for the running of a Youthreach centre such as rent, light, heat, materials, equipment, insurance etc as well as ancillary staff, other than administration staff. If an ETB or Youthreach Centre is employing staff as bus drivers, responsibility for the terms of employment rests with the individual ETB/ Youthreach Centre.
Learners can claim an allowance for the cost of travel to and from the Youthreach Centre where they live further than 5km from the Centre. These allowances range from €4.60 to €32.60 depending on distance involved. Budget 2023 also continued the Young Adult Leap Card where young adults can avail of half-price public transport fares.
