Mr. Pat Colgan:

It is actually two because the formal end of the programme is at the end of 2013. So there are 2014 and 2015 to spend out.

The Deputy asked about projects that are not viable. We can take that money and reallocate it to other viable projects, something we have done on many occasions in the past. It is a normal and natural part of programme management to come up against these kinds of difficulties. We work very hard with the relevant Departments and other key players in the region to identify other projects that can absorb this funding. The major objective for us is to maximise the return for Northern Ireland and the Border counties for all of these moneys.

Deputy Ó Ríordáin made a very interesting point. We are facing those very issues all the time in Northern Ireland - this kind of work with young people and the kinds of influences they are under. One of the big challenges for us under PEACE IV is to see if we can make some difference in this regard. We have a good long track record of working with young people, and youth groups and organisations. Much of our work has been in building links across communities and across the Border, and engaging with groups of young people in many different ways from both a cultural and skills point of view and also in terms of understanding issues, understanding each other and building relationships. We believe that has potential. There is a demand and requirement for us to do a good deal more of that.

The suggestion of getting more dialogue going with areas such as in the Deputy's constituency is one we would welcome. As I mentioned previously, we have the option to spend 20% of the value of the programme outside the programme area provided the activity is of direct benefit to the eligible region. For example, we are in discussions with other regions throughout Europe sharing the experiences of the PEACE programme. We have done some work in Cyprus, the Balkans and in the Basque country. We have been asked to share our experience with a number of other regions and areas. We look forward to continuing to do that. I see no reason we should not also do that with areas of Dublin that have particular synergies or similarities in terms of the challenges they are facing. That may be worth exploring and we would be happy to talk to people about that. It is possible.

I will ask Mr. Henry to address Senator Jim D'Arcy's point on educational attainment.