Thurles Youth Development Project was unique in that it was the only centre of its kind in the country catering for early school leavers and Travellers in one programme. In 1997, responsibility for traveller education was passed to the Department of Education and Science, since when the Centre has reported to FÁS and the Department in equal measure for the 40 learners on the course, 20 in each programme. In 2008, F.A.S. became the sole funder of Thurles Youth Development Project. At this time, a decision was taken by the Board of Management to change the operating name of the Centre from “Thurles Youth Development Project” to “Thurles Community Training Centre”, a more nationally recognised brand name.