Jack Wall
Question:648 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the grants, if any, he has made available to youth groups for their development in drama production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21841/99]
Written Answers. - Youth Services.
The youth affairs section of my Department provides funding each year to the National Association for Youth Drama, NAYD, under the youth service grant scheme. In 1999 a total amount of £51,375 has been allocated for youth drama under this scheme.
A number of youth projects are also funded each year by the youth affairs section under the special programme to assist disadvantaged youth, which have a specific ‘arts' brief and are directly responsible for youth work and drama production. In 1999, these projects were funded as follows: Waterford Youth Drama Project – £30,000; Red Kettle Theatre Company Project – £3,689; Limerick Youth Theatre and Bell Table Arts Centre – £10,622; Galway Youth Theatre Project – £30,000.
My Department also funds a number of projects that use drama as a medium for educational development in response to the problems of drug and substance abuse among young people. Funding for these projects is being provided for under the young people's facilities and services fund, based on the recommendations of the National Drugs Strategy Team. A sum of £7,260 is currently provided from this source towards the employment of a drama teacher in Westland Row CBS, Dublin.
My Department has allocated £19,120 in 1999 towards funding the national youth arts partnership initiative between the National Youth Council of Ireland, the Arts Council and the youth affairs section. This initiative promotes youth arts among the mainline youth organisations grant-aided under the youth service grant scheme of my Department.
My Department also provides funding on an annual basis to An Cumann Scoildramaíochta to encourage Irish-speaking activities, including drama, among school pupils. The 1999 grant is £22,000.