Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
1261. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views that the 225-day calendar poses serious industrial relations risks due to long standing disparities in contracts, entitlements and workload between Youthreach staff and their post primary counterparts. [10169/26]
View answer1262. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on discussions regarding the alignment of the Youthreach calendar year with the post-primary level calendar year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10170/26]
View answer1263. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to provide a guaranteed routine for neurodivergent learners in Youthreach, particularly when routine is looser during the summer months. [10171/26]
View answer1264. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if rather than enforcing the full programme during the summer months, he would consider if this time could be used more strategically to allocate resources where they have the greatest impact, such as optional targeted supports for high-needs learners in Youthreach centres. [10172/26]
View answer1265. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason some Youthreach centres remain open during midterm breaks and summer, while others close; and the measures he is taking to ensure that all Youthreach centres have a uniformed approach to opening and closing days. [10173/26]
View answer1266. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there is an update on the matter raised by the Workplace Relations Commission regarding the alignment of the Youthreach calendar with that of post primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10174/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1261, 1262, 1263, 1264, 1265 and 1266 together.
Youthreach was originally established as a training initiative delivered in out-of-school settings for young people who have left mainstream education with limited qualifications. Its hours and working conditions were designed to align more closely with those of the industrial and commercial sectors than with formal education, to support learners’ transition into employment following periods of school absence.
Youthreach currently operates under the 2015 Guidelines issued by the then Department of Education. These Guidelines set out the core operational parameters for the programme to ensure national consistency, whilst also allowing flexibility for local management to tailor provision to the specific needs of learners, including neuro-divergent learners, and to local contexts.
Under the Guidelines, Youthreach is a full-time, two-year programme comprising 226 operational days per year. Learners are expected to attend for 209 days on a 28-hour timetable over five days each week. Youthreach Coordinators and Resource Persons are required to be onsite on all days when learners are present.
Youthreach centres operate from the beginning of September to the end of July, excluding public holidays and closures permitted for Christmas and Easter. Following the introduction of the St Brigid’s Day public holiday, the annual operational requirement amounts to 225 days. At local level, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) are responsible for day-to-day management in line with the Operator Guidelines, including determining Easter and summer closure periods and allocating resources to achieve the greatest impact. Accordingly, the precise scheduling of the 225 days, including Christmas and Easter closures, is an operational matter for each ETB.
By way of background for the Deputies, in 2023 the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) requested that the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) reconvene conciliation on a previous claim that sought alignment of the 225-day Youthreach calendar with the post-primary school calendar.
My Department agreed to a structured process to examine the proposal with TUI. As part of this, officials have undertaken a comprehensive data-gathering exercise, consulted with key stakeholders, and analysed the findings. I expect to receive a paper for consideration in the coming weeks. This paper will assess the TUI proposal, including potential industrial relations implications, impacts on learners, value-for-money considerations, and other relevant factors.
Given the significance of any proposed changes to the delivery of this important national programme, I am sure Deputies will agree that a thorough, evidence-informed assessment is essential.
