To ask the Minister of Education (i) for his assessment of the Erasmus+ programme; and (ii) to detail how his Department are promoting greater access to this programme for (a) youth service providers: (b) disadvantaged young people.

The Erasmus+ programme offers a wide range of opportunities for all our young people and teachers to participate in partnership and exchange activities across Europe. The EU programme aims to boost skills and employability whilst modernising education, training and youth work. In the 2014 and 2015 funding rounds, circa 67 schools and youth service providers here have benefited from the programme receiving funding in excess of 3.3 million Euros.

My Department is continuing to work with the British Council and the Department for Education and Skills in the south to promote the programme to schools and the youth sector to ensure that participation in Erasmus+ is maximised.