Noel Ahern
Question:96 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on reports of a cutback in funding to the youth service in Ballymun, Dublin 9, which is resulting in the closure of Ballymun youth service. [24244/96]
Written Answers. - Youth Service Funding.
Youth services in the Ballymun area and in the Dublin city area generally are administered, on behalf of my Department, mainly through the City of Dublin Youth Service Board (Comhairle le Leas Óige), the youth work sub-committee of the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee.
Commensurate with its responsibilities in this area, the City of Dublin Youth Service Board has submitted proposals for some restructuring of the Ballymun youth service which seek to refocus activities in order to enhance provision, particularly for those young people who are most severely disadvantaged. Therefore, a reduction in funding for youth services in the Ballymun area on foot of these proposals is not envisaged.
I understand that the proposals, which are currently being considered by my Department, were drawn up following research into the needs of the area and consultation with a broad range of community interests.