asked the Minister for Education the reasons for delay in announcing the Government's comprehensive youth policy; and if it will be announced during this Dáil session.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Youth Policy.
3.
The main reason for the delay in the publication and implementation of a youth and sports policy was the prevailing financial situation. To publish a policy without a reasonable prospect of its implementation would create only frustration. The position of the document is now being reviewed.
Is the Minister aware that over two years ago this comprehensive policy document on youth development was promised by the Government and that a number of youth organisations throughout the country made submissions to help the Government in framing that policy document? Would the Minister now give some definite date for its publication? Is he aware that a lot of the youth work which has been carried out over the years has now practically come to a standstill because of the failure of the Government to publish their policy on youth?
I could not give a definite date about the publication of the policy document and I am not aware that youth work has come to a standstill. The fact that there is not a written-down policy document, to which the Deputy refers, does not mean that a policy is not being pursued nor does it mean that there is not action. Indeed, of all the Parliamentary Secretaries who have occupied the post of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, the present occupant has done far more and expended far more money than any other Parliamentary Secretary since the post was established. I believe any youth organisation through the country will acknowledge the work that Deputy John Bruton has done on their behalf, the amount of concern he has shown for their affairs and the amount of public finance he has made available to them.
That is outrageous.
Now that I see the Deputy I apologise to him.
The eulogy about Deputy Bruton is totally untrue.
(Interruptions.)
This must not lead to an argument.
As I suggested, if the Deputy consults youth organisations anywhere in the country I believe he will find——
(Interruptions.)
Order.
I did not criticise the Parliamentary Secretary. I am asking for a straight answer from the Minister.
That is a tough thing to get in this place.
Have the Government a policy on youth?
They have
For the past three years I have been asking about this and been told that the policy document will be published shortly.
Statements must be avoided. Let us have relevant, brief questions.
In fairness to the people involved in youth work the Government must state if they have a youth policy. If they have not will the Minister please let us know now?
I told the Deputy that the Government have a policy and that of all the Parliamentary Secretaries who have occupied the post of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education the present occupant is by far the most active and that the position of the document regarding youth policy is now being reviewed. The Parliamentary Secretary will no doubt publish it in his own good time.
(Interruptions.)
I do not think it is it is common case that his reputation among sporting organisations is very good.
A question, Deputy, please.
Deputy Wyse has ione a lot to elicit information from he Government in regard to the existence or non-existence of a youth policy. Is the Minister aware that unless this country puts large sums of money into sporting organisations—I mean at Olympic level—boxing organisations, soccer organisations, right through the broad spectrum, we will not be able to hold up our heads in the international sense?
I have no figures here but I appreciate that money must be put into a youth policy. The Parliamentary Secretary is very much aware of that. I repeat again that the amount of money spent by the Government in the last three years on youth and sports has far exceeded anything that was spent, even in real terms, in any previous period.
Surely the Minister will agree that money put into sporting organisations particularly is only scratching the surface? No later than last night did we find that the Irish boxing team were beaten ten to one by the English boxing team.
A question, Deputy Andrews.
The reason for this is lack of money.
This is not good enough. Next question. Question No. 4.
(Interruptions.)
Order. If Deputies want to debate this matter they will have to find another time. I am passing on to the next question.
It is ridiculous to suggest that because the Irish boxing team were beaten ten to one last night that it is the Government's fault and that it was because of lack of money. When no money was provided for sport more than 20 years ago Irish boxers won all over the world.
They were given more time off.
Order. Question No. 4.