Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I do not think so. The package announced was for €2 million per annum, which is all we can do at present. It includes the aspect on second level and third level. The young social innovators annual showcase awards were held in Dublin six weeks ago. About 2,000 students were at it and the project is done in transition year. That group existed before we got this funding, but the funding, at €200,000 per annum for three years, will help to promote the project. Many of the projects now being carried out in transition year have a volunteer ethos. It introduces young people to different social projects, many of which are about drink and drug addiction, caring for the elderly and so on.

The third level project which we are supporting exists to create a volunteering ethos among young people. We are trying to make it part of a programme where the students get grades and credits for it. We have not yet done anything about a bureau on campus. We felt that this project would attract young people in second and third level and would give them a taste of volunteering. It is to be hoped that they will carry that on with them into later life. We have not developed it beyond that which we have already announced. I was in DIT a few weeks ago and some of the questions related to education policy. My interest is just to encourage volunteering. I cannot take over the Department of Education and Science. I understand what the Deputy is saying and we may get an opportunity to look at that.

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