§ Mr. Hume asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total funding for the youth training programme in Northern Ireland; how it is allocated to the various providers; what percentage of the total funding comes from the European Economic Community; what is the cost per training place for each provider; what is the cost of the Civil Service administration of the youth training programme; and what number of civil servants are involved in the administration.
§ Dr. BoysonFor the total funding of the youth training programme and its allocation to the various providers, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 11 November 1985 at columns97–8.
Eligible expenditure on the provision of the YTP attracts 55 per cent. assistance from the European social fund.
As more than one provider is involved in delivering each young person's programme of training, further education and work experience, the cost of a training place can not be allocated per provider. In 1984–85, 5,289 first year full-time training places were delivered for a total cost of £20.8 million; the figures for second year full-time training places were 2,000 and £7.9 million. The cost per training place was therefore £3,076 for the first year and £3,950 for second year trainees. These figures do not take account of a further 1,473 first-year full-time training places which were sponsored by the Government training centres, the costs of which were included in the GTC running costs. Ninety eight civil servants are employed full-time in the administration of YTP at an annual cost of £1.3 million. There is also additional indirect and part-time input by other civil servants which can not be readily quantified.