asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of the need to establish a local youth service in the Dún Laoghaire area; the action, if any, he will take to set up such a board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers - Dún Laoghaire Area Youth Service.
9.
The White Paper on Youth Policy, "In Partnership with Youth", provides for the development of a National Youth Service on a nationwide basis by the end of 1987 through the establishment of local youth service boards. The specific needs of the Dún Laoghaire area will be addressed in that context.
I take this opportunity of congratulating the Minister on his appointment and I wish him the very best of luck. Having said that and putting him in good humour, perhaps he will now answer my question. The Minister said that he will be looking at Dún Laoghaire in the overall context of the national youth policy. Dún Laoghaire seems to be regarded as a backwater in the sense that while it is part of County Dublin it is not given proper recognition as part of that entity. I ask the Minister not to overlook Dún Laoghaire because it is often treated in an offhand fashion. We are not second class citizens in Dún Laoghaire and we should get the recognition we deserve. The Minister must also realise——
That is a speech.
And a good one.
I can see the leader of The Workers' Party laughing but that is understandable because he has a problem.
It is no laughing matter; speeches are not in order at Question Time.
I certainly do not regard Dún Laoghaire as a backwater and we all have a very high regard for Deputy Andrews.
I am not looking for regard for myself.
Do not interrupt.
"In Partnership with Youth" recognises that the development of projects such as those taking place under the youth service project operating in Dún Laoghaire was a key strategy for the development of local youth service boards. The previous Minister of State accepted that County Dublin, for the purposes of the establishment of local youth service boards, should include the administrative area of the Corporation of Dún Laoghaire. They were also prepared to consider the needs of Bray Urban Council district in that context. A very active VEC in Dún Laoghaire submitted a detailed recommendation for their consideration to be set up as a local youth service board. Dún Laoghaire Corporation have already passed a formal motion to that effect which is in my Department. From an initial examination of these detailed proposals, it appears as if the criteria set out in chapter 4 of the youth policy for the establishment and operation of local youth service boards has been satisfied by Dún Laoghaire Corporation. I am not in a position to make a definitive statement today but, from the information in the Department, these matters will certainly be taken into account.
I am most grateful to the Minister for the manner in which he answered my question. It is a very helpful and hopeful response and it is appreciated. If I put a question down in six months time perhaps there will be more information available but I raised the matter now because the VEC brought it to my attention and as the Minister said, the motion has been passed by Dún Laoghaire Corporation and they have complied with all that has been asked of them in the context of the document which the Minister mentioned.
Could the Minister be specific as to when he will determine which areas——
This concerns Dún Laoghaire only.
We should have a decision as to whether it will be one of the pilot areas for the youth service which is being set up. Would it be more beneficial to put extra resources into existing youth services which are under-financed——
That is a separate question.