Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
1255. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether minors in the international protection process, including unaccompanied minors, aged 15+ need a labour market access permit to access ETB Youth Reach programmes and CTC Youth Reach programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32256/26]
View answerThe Youthreach Programme supports young people who leave school with limited qualifications by helping them gain the skills and confidence needed to move on to further education, training, or work.
Youthreach is delivered through Youthreach Centres, which are run by Education and Training Boards (ETBs), and independent Community Training Centres (CTCs).
Youthreach mainly serves young people over the age of 16. In exceptional cases, 15-year-olds may be accepted if they have left school and cannot return.
Department of Education and Science guidance dating from 2001 allows International Protection Applicants to access Youthreach where attending a mainstream school is not a viable option. According to this guidance, a Labour Market Access Permit is not required.
While Youthreach is a valuable and effective programme, it is in line with government policy that learners remain in mainstream secondary schools wherever possible.
