Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied with the ongoing development of the Youthreach programme here; if her Department has proposals to expand the Youthreach programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34966/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Youthreach Programme is an Inter-Departmental initiative which provides two years integrated education, training and work experience to young people aged 15-20 years who are at least six months in the labour market and who have left school early without any qualifications or vocational training.

The programme funded by my Department is delivered in out of school centres and is managed by Vocational Education Committees (VECs). There are a total of ninety Youthreach Centres managed by the VEC sector throughout the country. Overall, there are approximately 6,500 places available nationally at present, 3,200 of which are in the VEC sector and the remainder in Community Training Centres under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Basic skills training, practical work training and general education are features of the programme, and the application of new technology is integrated into all aspects of programme content. The programme provides a strong emphasis on personal development, on the core skills of literacy/numeracy, communications and IT, along with a choice of vocational options such as Catering, Hairdressing, Computers, Woodwork, photography, Video, Sports, Art and Craft and a work experience programme.

Expenditure on the programme in 2005 was nearly €47 million. In addition, my Department provides funding to VEC's annually to assist towards the childcare expenses of participants in Youthreach.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of participants currently enrolled in Youthreach programmes in County Kildare; the number of participants in the past three years; if her Department has received requests for further Youthreach provision in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34967/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Youthreach Programme is an Inter-Departmental initiative which provides two years integrated education, training and work experience to young people aged 15-20 years who are at least six months in the labour market and who have left school early without any qualifications or vocational training. The programme funded by my Department is delivered in out of school centres and is managed by Vocational Education Committees (VECs). There are a total of ninety Youthreach Centres managed by the VEC sector throughout the country. Overall, there are about 6,500 places available nationally at present, 3,200 of which are in the VEC sector and the remainder in Community Training Centres under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

County Kildare VEC has an allocation of 85 Youthreach places. There are currently three Youthreach centres in operation in the county located in Leixlip, Athy and Naas. The centre in Naas commenced operating in February this year. The numbers attending Youthreach in County Kildare in the last three years are as follows: 2003 — 54; 2004 — 55; and, 2005 — 57.

There are currently 76 young people availing of Youthreach places in County Kildare. My Department has not received any request for further Youthreach provision in County Kildare.