asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that there is no youth club in the Neilstown and Rowlagh parishes of Clondalkin, County Dublin; if he is further aware of the large number of young people living in those parishes who have no facilities whatever and of the huge increase in youth population which can be anticipated in the coming year; if he will be in a position to appoint a full-time youth officer or officers to that area; the other help which his Department will be in a position to give to aid the provision of basic youth services in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Dublin Youth Services.
566.
My Department are not directly involved in the provision of youth services at a local level. Grants are made available by my Department to national and regional voluntary youth organisations for the provision of youth services including the employment of full-time youth workers.
The Catholic Youth Council, which provide youth services in the greater Dublin Area and to which four youth groups in the Rowlagh/Neilstown parishes are affiliated, was allocated a grant of £100,860 for 1982.
My Department also make funds available through vocational educational committees for the support and promotion of youth and sport services at local level. A grant of £42,000 was made available to County Dublin Vocational Education Committee for this purpose in 1982. It would be open to the clubs in the Rowlagh/Neilstown parishes to apply for support from these funds.
As stated in the White Paper on Educational Development, the Government recognise the special needs and circumstances of the Greater Dublin Area. As an initial step in the extension of youth services in County Dublin the Department are funding a youth development project on a pilot basis in the Tallaght and Blanchardstown areas. The project, which was initiated by County Dublin Vocational Education Committee in association with FORÓIGE, involves the employment of three full-time youth workers and is being closely monitored with a view to the development of youth services in other areas of the county.
The Government are committed to an ongoing capital programme for the provision of youth, sport and recreational facilities.