Vol. 492 No. 4
360 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself that the youth service, which employs approximately 500 youth workers, is satisfactorily provided for in terms of rates of pay, conditions and promotion opportunities in order that this important area of work can develop in a coherent way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14378/98]
Financial support made available by my Department to organisations in the youth service is in the form of grant-in-aid towards the overall costs incurred. Issues such as rates of pay and conditions are matters in the first instance for the individual organisations.
The overall level of resources made available for the provision of youth work services in 1998 is £13,567,000, which represents an increase of 1.7 per cent over the provision for 1997.
I am anxious to ensure that the youth service be further developed and in this regard, funding proposals are currently being developed with a view to securing additional resources in the future.
