Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Nov 1996

Vol. 472 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Lottery Funding.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

217 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education whether funding will be made more readily available to help communities wishing to provide sporting facilities for their youth out of national lottery resources in view of the fact that it appears to be the only source of such funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22684/96]

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

218 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education, in response to a recent EU Conference where youths blamed boredom and lack of facilities for increases in drug and crime incidents, whether a concerted effort will be made in redirecting national lottery funding into this most important area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22685/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.

The introduction of the national lottery has significantly increased funding available for sport and has assisted the introduction of new initiatives over the past number of years in both the current and capital programmes and has provided for the expansion and improvement of existing schemes. The total expenditure on sport from 1986 to 1995 was £96.721 million.

My Department also provides support for youth work services, principally by grant-aiding voluntary youth organisations and community groups from the proceeds of the national lottery. A specific scheme of grants is made available in respect of special out-of-school projects for disadvantaged young people. Under the grant scheme for special projects to assist disadvantaged youth, grant-aid is allocated to organisations and groups for specific projects which seek to address the needs of young people who are disadvantaged due to a variety of socioeconomic factors, including drug misuse and juvenile crime.

Given that youth work with disadvantaged young people continues to be accorded priority, I have provided for the establishment of a number of new projects and improvements in existing services under this scheme in 1996.

At national and at European Union levels, the Minister of State at my Department is seeking to achieve greater emphasis on the special role which youth and sport activities can play in combating the problems of drug abuse, crime and social exclusion, particularly among young people.

The Deputy will understand, however, that funding for schemes under these programmes is made available by the Minister for Finance in the context of the annual Estimates. While this funding is limited in the context of the number of applications on hand seeking grant-aid, every effort is made by my Department to obtain maximum funding to assist voluntary community organisations with projects under the terms of the schemes.