Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - Youth Sector Budget.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

157 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the proposals by the Council of Europe in relation to its youth sector budget to follow up its 5% cutback for 2001 with further significant budget cutbacks in 2002; if his attention has further been drawn to major concerns expressed by the National Youth Council of Ireland with regard to the impact of such budget cutbacks; and if he will outline his position in relation thereto and any action being taken by him in connection therewith. [12244/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I received a letter from the National Youth Council of Ireland on 24 April in which the council's concerns about the proposed reduction in the youth sector budget of the Council of Europe for the year 2002 following on the reduction agreed for the current year were drawn to my attention. An identical letter was received by our permanent representative to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. I share the concerns of the National Youth Council at the impact of the proposed reduction on the activities of the Council of Europe in support of youth organisations in Europe. I have been advised that the priorities of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe for the 2002 budget will be discussed in the Committee of Ministers of the Council on 16 May and I would like to assure the Deputy that full account will be taken of the concerns of the National Youth Council in Ireland's intervention in the course of the discussion.