Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to the announcement in budget 2014 that 2,000 places would be ring-fenced for young jobseekers under 25 years in the successor to the Momentum programme; when this new scheme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45824/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware 2,000 training places will be targeted specifically for unemployed people aged under 25 at a cost of 6 million euro. This measure is one strand of a Youth Guarantee initiative being implemented across a number of Government Departments, and which is being led by the Department of Social Protection.

These places will be provided under a follow up to the Momentum programme operating in 2013.

A design feature of Momentum provides for continuous evaluation of the programme so we can ensure that the training provided is effective, efficient and value for money. I expect to have the outcome of these evaluations by year end. Recommendations from this evaluation will be incorporated into the new programme and I would expect that a new round of momentum will be announced in early 2014.