Written answers
Wednesday, 8 May 2024
Department of Education and Skills
Departmental Programmes
Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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660. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how Youthreach providers can offer summer programmes, with opportunities for extracurricular activities when there is a staff reduction (outside of the 166 days when teaching staff depart at the start of June annually) – in some centres the minimum figure of Resource Person : Teacher Grade is 49% nationally rising upwards to almost 90% in some individual centres. [20754/24]
Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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The Youthreach programme is a national full-time programme for unemployed early school leavers generally between 16 and 20 years of age and is delivered in two settings, Youthreach Centres and Community Training Centres. The Operational Guidelines on Youthreach provide for a year of 225 days, with learners being required to attend for 208 days. Individual learner plans are developed for each Youthreach learner. While the precise configuration of the programme in each location is decided locally having regard to the individual learner and community needs and potential, the programme includes general education, vocational training and work experience as well as a variety of complementary experiences that build confidence and broaden horizons.
The Youthreach programme is staffed by Co-ordinators, Resource Persons and teachers with nationally agreed terms and conditions of employment. They have specific, clearly defined job descriptions. which were designed very much with the programmes structure in mind. Template contracts of employment for Youthreach were negotiated and agreed by all stakeholders. Full-time Co-ordinator and Resource staff are expected to be present on the days that learners are in attendance.
Summer programmes are optional at the discretion of the individual ETB having regard to the needs of the learners, the estimated attendance over the period and the potential to liaise with local youth work services.
Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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661. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the value of summer programmes has been identified in inspection reports of Youthreach undertaken by the Inspectorate in the Department of Education; and if his Department has also noted the potential health and safety issues that arise with a reduced staff providing this programme. [20755/24]
Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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The Youthreach Operational Guidelines provide that centres may arrange programme activities over the summer period before the centre closes in addition to the minimum 208 learner days. The provision of such programmes or activities is not mandatory. It is a matter for each ETB to determine having regard to the needs of the learners, the estimated attendance over the period and the potential to liaise with local youth work services.
Summer programmes can offer opportunities for extra curricular activities, community projects and work experience modules to build the transversal skills of participants.
An example of recent commentary in reports by the Inspectorate include that the summer programme in the centre was good and varied while offering suggestions for additional certification in areas such as Safe Pass, first aid, Gaisce and less focus on work experience. Another example noted the opportunities for work experience, outings, local community involvement and additional certification.
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