Dáil Éireann - Volume 592 - 10 November, 2004

Written Answers. - Youthreach Programme.

Ms Enright Ms Enright

  263. Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding made available to youthreach for each of the past three years; the number of persons involved in youthreach programmes for each of the past three years; the extent of child care facilities available at youthreach locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28427/04]

Ms Hanafin Ms Hanafin

599

  Ms Hanafin: The youthreach programme is an interdepartmental initiative for unemployed young people, generally aged between 15 and 20 years who left school early without qualifications. The programme is delivered in out of school settings in four networks, including youthreach centres [599] managed by the vocational education committees and funded by my Department. Funding for the VEC youthreach programme and the number of trainees in the programme in each of the past three years is set out below.

In addition, my Department provides funding to VECs annually to assist towards the child care expenses of participants in youthreach, Traveller training centre programmes and VTOS, the vocational training opportunities scheme. The local administration of child care assistance is a matter for individual VECs. The grant is intended as a contribution towards costs.

The financial provision for child care assistance for participants on youthreach and other specified programmes in the further education sector in the years 2001, 2002 and 2003 was €3.123 million, €4.736 million and €4.821 million respectively.

Dáil Éireann 592 Written Answers. Youthreach Programme.

Questions

20041110