Written Answers. - Youth Facilities. – Dáil Éireann (29th Dáil) – Wednesday, 12 Feb 2003

Written Answers. - Youth Facilities.

Phil Hogan

Question:

143 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement on the young people's facilities and services fund for Carlow; the projects recognised and supported to date; the number of drug misusers who have availed of their advise, support and referral services on a yearly basis to date; the budget granted in each year to date; the projects proposed for 2003; the estimated costs of same; and the actual budget allocated to this task force by his Department. [3800/03]

Denis Naughten

Question:

145 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement on the young people's facilities and services fund for Waterford; the projects recognised and supported to date; the number of drug misusers who have availed of their advice, support and referral services on a yearly basis to date; the budget granted in each year to date; the projects proposed for 2003; the estimated costs of same; and the actual budget allocated to this task force by his Department. [3799/03]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

146 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement on the young people's facilities and services fund for Galway; the projects recognised and supported to date; the number of drug misusers who have availed of their advice, support and referral services on a yearly basis to date; the budget granted in each year to date; the projects proposed for 2003; the estimated costs of same; and the actual budget allocated to this task force by his Department. [3797/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 145 and 146 together.

The young people's facilities and services fund was established in 1998 as part of the Government's overall strategy to tackle drug misuse. The fund aims to assist in 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 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. While the primary focus of the fund is on the 14 local drug task force areas established in Dublin, Bray and Cork, it also operates in Waterford, Galway, Carlow and Limerick. Funding of €1.9 million has been made available to these four areas and these allocations are due to finish in 2003. Details of the breakdown of the projects involved are included in the following tables, which also indicate the level of contact with the target group. There was no yearly budget allocated as the allocations were granted over the lifetime of the various projects across the four cities.

With respect to future funding, the fund's national assessment committee, which is chaired by my Department, is currently examining the projects funded under the first round of the fund with a view to continuing their financing up to the end of 2006. Funds that are found to be effective will, subject to resources, be mainstreamed, thereby enabling ongoing provision by statutory agencies. Qualification for continued funding will also be dependant on the successful assessment of each project by the services steering group set up to examine the projects. The steering group, consisting of members of the national assessment committee and the four principal vocational education committees – the City of Dublin Youth Services Board, County Dublin VEC, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown VEC and the City of Cork VEC – will make recommendations to the committee on the projects to receive continued funding.

The steering group has contacted each development group in the areas involved setting out the procedure to be followed. The decision making process should be completed by mid-March 2003 with a view to the national assessment committee making recommendations to the Cabinet committee on social inclusion shortly thereafter. Each project has been provided with interim funding pending the outcome of the evaluation process.

CarlowOutdoor Education Project.

A grant of €114,276 was allocated towards the salary and programme costs associated with the appointment of a youth worker to run an outdoor education project aimed at young people at risk of drug misuse.

Number employed: one youth worker over three years.

Training for Trainers.

A grant of €8,253 was allocated towards the costs of a training programme to train youth and community leaders as trainers in drug awareness and education. This programme will also provide follow-up support for the trainers.

Carlow Network Training.

A grant of €3,174 was allocated towards the costs of supporting the Carlow network to oversee the implementation of the projects under the YPFSF and co-ordinate activities in Carlow aimed at young people at risk.

Central Youth Facility.

A grant of €76,184 was allocated towards the costs of leasing a centrally located facility to serve as a one-stop shop for young people, accommodating drug prevention and youth services. Other youth organisations will contribute to the cost of the lease.

This project did not proceed as envisaged instead €49,520 was used in 2001 to develop plans for a proposed central youth facility for the town.

Contact with the target group for the fund – as the focus in Carlow has been predominantly on developing drug education and drug awareness programmes aimed at local clubs including sports clubs and youth groups, the main emphasis has been on prevention.

WaterfordSpraoi Development Project – studio and education facilities

A grant of €50,790 was allocated towards the cost of developing a purpose-built 5 studio complex and educational facilities, capable of servicing activities, which foster personal expression and development. Spraoi will engage with young people in education initiatives for potential early school leavers in an in-school, out-of-school or after-school environment.

"Seeing the Full Picture"– Substance Abuse Programme

A grant of €19,046 was allocated towards the cost of converting an attic in the Oak Villa Centre into a recreational, educational and lecture room. The Centre is already being used by the target group and conversion is to facilitate improved service. The project will engage 12-15 year olds in a Substance Abuse Programme.

Youth Resource Centre in Lisduggan, Waterford

A grant of €81,263 was allocated towards the cost of building a Youth Resource Centre in Lisduggan, servicing Larchville, Lisduggan and surrounding areas of the City. The facility will facilitate high quality youth work with children and young people in Larchville and Lisduggan. The project has planning permission and is ready to proceed.

15th Waterford (Sacred Heart) Scout Unit

A grant of €25,395 was allocated towards the cost of refurbishing existing building. The Scout Unit provides young people from the age of 6-18 years with life skills and scouting skills that help them take a constructive place in their community and teach them to be responsible for their actions.

Services Projects

Ferrybank Drug Prevention Project

A grant of €44,441 was allocated towards the salary costs of a project worker and programme costs. The project aims to divert young people in Ferrybank from actual misuse and risk of misuse of drugs or substances through a targeted programme involving information, personal effectiveness and alternative methods.