Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 2

Written Answers. - Youth Services Development Fund.

Richard Bruton

Question:

351 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of the youth services development fund for drug affected areas indicating the proposed allocation in each of the next three years; the impact of the additional £1.25 million announced in the budget and whether this money will be expended exclusively in the 11 areas in which drug task forces have been established. [22743/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The previous Government, in approving the recommendations in the second report of the ministerial task force on measures to reduce the demand for drugs, approved the establishment of a youth services development fund.

In 1997, my Department actively participated in the work of the National Drugs Strategy Team which supports the development of plans by 13 local drugs task forces and significant funding has already been allocated for these task forces. Many of the proposals contained in the plans relate to youth services. To date, over £1 million has been allocated to youth-education related projects and further proposals are being finalised. It is expected that the bulk of these moneys will be drawn down by the project promoters in 1998.

As these initiatives are subject to evaluation, my Department considers that any further major investment in new or existing initiatives should await the outcome of this evaluation process. In the meantime, a programme will be formulated to expend the £1.25 million announced in the budget on youth development services.