Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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958. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware that Youthreach have had their budget cut by 30 percent (details supplied) affecting their ability to provide an education and support to 50 students, counselling services have been reduced from four days to one day every second week which is having a negative effect on young people availing of the service' mental health; if he will provide an update on the reason the funding for this Youthreach has been cut, if he has any intention of ensuring that funding is brought up to where it was in recent years before being cut; and if some of the funding could be restored solely for providing vital counselling services for these young people. [51197/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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959. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the Youthreach facilities that have faced funding cuts by ETBs and the measures being taken to ensure that teachers and staff do not have an increased workload due to a lack of supports. [51198/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 958 and 959 together.

Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) has confirmed to my officials that they are not aware of any specific budget cuts of 30 percent for this Youthreach centre. If the Deputy has further details, my officials are available to engage directly with SOLAS and LMETB to clarify the matter.

LMETB has advised my officials that the Youthreach centre in Navan is staffed appropriately in line with the 2015 Operator Guidelines for the Youthreach programme. Each Education and Training Board (ETB) receives 4,200 tuition hours per group of 25 learners, with pro rata adjustments for smaller or larger groups. This allocation of hours translates into a total pay bill for centre staff which is funded by SOLAS. Staff in Youthreach settings, such as the Navan centre, may include a Youthreach Coordinator, resource staff and teaching /tutor staffing.

As Minister, I have no role in the operational day-to-day running of ETBs. As the state agency responsible for the further education and training sector, SOLAS allocates funding to 16 ETBs and other agencies to deliver FET programmes. Each ETB must prioritise and manage delivery of further education and training programmes strictly within their allocated budget.