Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 381: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the funding allocated to a centre (details supplied) in County Mayo; if funding has been allocated to any other outdoor pursuits centre in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34839/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Achill Outdoor Education Centre is one of 11 outdoor education centres (OEC's) developed by Vocational Education Committees in order to enhance the quality of the educational experience for young people through outdoor education programmes. OECs cater mainly for primary and post-primary students, including young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. They also cater for third-level students, youth groups, special needs groups and adults. During periods such as school holidays, when the centres are not fully utilised for educational purposes, the centres generate additional income by providing courses on a commercial basis for the leisure and tourism market.

Achill outdoor education centre received funding of €119,000 from my Department in 2007. This funding goes mainly towards the core staffing costs involved in running the centre. Achill is the only outdoor education centre in County Mayo in receipt of funding from my Department.