Vol. 553 No. 4
141 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the procedures in place for overseeing the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund; if he has satisfied himself that the original objectives of this fund are being met; the basis for this assertion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14205/02]
In 1998 the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund was established to develop 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 objective of the fund is to attract at risk young people in disadvantaged areas into these facilities and activities and divert them away from the dangers of substance misuse.
The main focus of the fund has been on the local drugs task force areas where integrated plans were prepared on the basis of detailed guidelines agreed by the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion. Development groups were set up in each area and comprised representatives from the relevant local drugs task force, the local authority and the VEC. These plans were submitted for consideration, via the task forces, to the national assessment committee, chaired by my Department. The plans were assessed against the guidelines agreed and recommendations were then made to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion. An amount of €54.1 million has been allocated to date to local drugs task force areas under the fund.
I am satisfied that the objectives of the fund are being met through the ongoing monitoring of projects by the development groups, the statutory agencies and by the national assessment committee.
An independent evaluation of the fund is currently under way. The consultants are examining the effectiveness and impact of the fund at national, plan and local level against the criteria used to establish the fund in 1998. The evaluation is due to be completed later this year.
