Vol. 550 No. 2
42 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the funding for local drug task forces announced on 10 February 2002; and when the capital projects to be grant-aided under the new round of funding will be announced. [8046/02]
As the Deputy will be aware, the young people's facilities and services fund – YPFSF – was established in 1998 to support the development of youth facilities, including sport and recreational facilities, and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. The aim of the fund is to attract young people in disadvantaged areas – at risk of becoming involved in problem drug use – into more healthy and productive pursuits. To date, over €59 million has been allocated under the YPFSF.
At its meeting on 23 January, the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion approved, in principle, the arrangements for a second round of funding under the YPFSF. As a result, the development groups in the local drugs task force areas who are charged with developing local integrated plans for each of the areas have been asked to submit proposals for facilities projects by 17 May 2002. Proposals in relation to services projects will be sought later in the year.
Once the proposals for capital projects have been evaluated by the national assessment committee, they will be submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion for consideration and approval. It is not possible to say at this time when announcements on projects to be grant aided under the new round of funding will be made.
Question No. 43 answered with Question No. 27.
