Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
421. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of people currently participating in the Alternative Learning Programme in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71344/25]
View answer422. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of people that have participated in the Alternative Learning Programme since its inception in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71345/25]
View answer423. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of spaces available in the Alternative Learning Programme per annum in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71346/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 421, 422 and 423 together.
The Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) Alternative Learning Programme (ALP) is designed to re-engage young people who are at risk of leaving education by providing an informal learning environment that promotes beneficial routines, positive social interactions, and personal responsibility. It fosters mutual respect, encouragement, and inclusiveness while supporting participants to explore options for returning to school, educational progression, training, and future careers.
Delivered by local youth workers in partnership with ETB tutors, ALP operates three days per week during the academic term and combines group work and varied activities to build supportive, trusting relationships between participants and staff. The programme relies on collaboration with the Education Welfare Service, school principals, and parents/guardians to ensure effective engagement.
Since its introduction in 2014, the ALP in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area has supported 138 young people. Nine young people are currently participating in the ALP in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area, with 10 young people engaged since September 2025. There is capacity within the programme to accommodate additional participants.
The ALP operates on an 8-week cycle, with provision for up to 16 young people per cycle (two groups of eight, morning and afternoon sessions). Numbers vary depending on individual progression and whether participants complete one or two cycles.
Since 2017, the programme has adopted a structured 8-week format to strengthen collaboration with schools and Education Welfare Officers, supporting young people to return to mainstream education. In some cases, participants complete two consecutive cycles before exiting the programme.
The programme continues to adapt to meet the needs of young people in the area, ensuring a supportive and effective pathway back into education.
The ALP continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people, offering them the confidence, skills, and support needed to re-engage with education and plan for their future. By fostering inclusion and building strong relationships, ALP provides a vital pathway for those most at risk, ensuring that every participant has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
In 2025, the department allocated approximately €360,000 to DDLETB in UBU Your Place Your Space funding to support the delivery of ALP in its five locations; Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Balbriggan and Swords.
