Brussels, 26/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 26 June, the Irish Presidency of the EU Council reached an agreement in trialogue with the European Parliament on the Erasmus + programme. Allocated €16 billion for the 2014-2020 period, the programme brings together all the European schemes for education, training, youth and sport. Speaking of the very high rates of youth unemployment in Europe, Irish Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn stated that “this new programme will have a key role in tackling and resolving the crisis”. He added that “since 2007, approximately 400,000 people a year across Europe have benefitted from the current programmes, and today's development means that many more people of all ages and backgrounds will be eligible for these supports”. Wednesday's agreement still needs to be taken before the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) for final approval. (OL/transl.fl)