Ms Dearbhla Holohan:

On the 14 to 19 strategy, given that the programme was successful and was seen as such by colleagues within the Department for the Economy, I was invited to represent Strive on the body that reviewed the entry-level and level 1 training, which was the replacement for the training for success programme. This was for young people aged 16 to 17 years who were leaving school. We were invited onto that panel so we could articulate how Strive works as a model, and what elements of it could be taken into a government-funded training programme, the old workings of which have been delayed due to Covid. I believe that a pilot is currently being funded. I do not know if it goes far enough in utilising a youth work approach, but certainly the value of youth work has been recognised through the Peace4Youth programmes. I would like to see greater flexibility within that space for young people if they are coming out of school aged 16 to 17. Having to go in and do 20 or 25 hours per week does not work for a lot of them. We found that they would not last on some of those types of programmes. As Dr. Farry will be aware, there is a very high drop off rate. Whether these issues have all been remedied through that or not, I am sure we will find out in due course.