Vol. 510 No. 6
402 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress, if any, in relation to the provision of a proper funding mechanism for the young Irish film makers based on a submission which was made some time ago. [23546/99]
Funding at the disposal of the youth affairs section of my Department is designated principally to ensure the provision of non-formal educational opportunities for young people. To do this, grant-aid is provided to youth organisations at national level, to special youth work projects that assist disadvantaged young people and to a network of youth information centres throughout the country.
The youth affairs section provides financial support to the youth arts programme, a partnership between the Department of Education and Science, the Arts Council, and the National Youth Council of Ireland. It also provides funding to the National Association of Youth Drama.
A request for information on grants available from the youth affairs section was received in March 1999 from the young Irish film makers. It was indicated to them that it might be more appropriate for them to forward their enquiry to the Arts Council.
