Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 523: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she intends to introduce statutory recognition for a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13395/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The group referred to by the Deputy offers programmes of integrated general education, vocational training and work experience to provide second chance education and training to a number of young people who leave school early with minimal or no qualifications. This group operates under the control of vocational education committees which have the statutory responsibility for delivering the programme in out of school centres.

In 2004, my predecessor designated the group as centres of education under the Education Act 1998, section 10.4. This designation is noted in circular F49/04. Such designation enables, for example, parents of young people in the programme to become involved in elections to vocational education committees. It also regularises the position of the group, vis-À-vis supports, monitoring and evaluation by my inspectorate.

I am currently considering issues relating to the prescription of this group under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, section 14(19)(b). This was an issue raised in the recently published Report of the Task Force on Student Behaviour in Second Level Schools. The Government is committed to catering for the needs of the young people and will continue to provide significant support to this group.