Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Jul 1998

Vol. 493 No. 4

Written Answers. - Youth Services.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

180 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if the grant of £313,000 to the national headquarters of the Catholic Boy Scout of Ireland in 1998 is the same as 1997; his views on whether this a real reduction in the grant of about 2.5 per cent in view of the rate of inflation; his views on whether the work being done by organisations like the CBSI is deserving of even higher priority in view of the many drug and social problems; if he is in a position to grant an increased amount of funding in particular to assist the activities of the CBSI in the Dublin north city region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16429/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I acknowledge and place great value on the work carried out by voluntary youth organisations including the work of Scouting Ireland CSI, formerly known as CBSI.

The funding allocation for the provision of youth services in 1997 and 1998 for Scouting Ireland CSI is £313,000. This financial support is made available as a grant-in-aid towards the overall costs incurred and as such does not make specific provision for inflation.

Unfortunately, due to the high level of ongoing commitments, it has not been possible in the current year to provide for increases in the level of grant aid made available to individual organisations and initiatives.

However, additional funding is being sought for 1998, and in the event of such funding becoming available the level of funding support to youth organisations generally will be reviewed.