Finian McGrath
Question:606 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department will assist St. Monica's Youth Centre, Edenmore, Dublin 5, in its excellent work and ensure funding. [8303/03]
Written Answers - Youth Services.
John Deasy
Question:611 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason funding has been withdrawn in the coming year under the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund which is funded with proceeds from the CAB. [8186/03]
Richard Bruton
Question:613 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the submission seeking the mainstreaming of a project (details supplied); and if full funding will be made available to continue the valuable work with young people experiencing serious problems. [8257/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 606, 611 and 613 together.
The Young People's Facilities and Services Fund, YPFSF, 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.
Funding for the YPFSF transferred from the Vote of the Department of Education and Science to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2003. An amount of €15.877 million has been provided for the fund in 2003. It should be noted that there is no involvement of CAB proceeds in funding the YPFSF.
The National Assessment Committee, NAC, of the YPFSF, which is chaired by my Department, is currently examining the services projects funded under round one of the fund. The intention would be where they are found to be effective, they will be mainstreamed by enabling their ongoing provision by statutory agencies.
Qualification for continued funding will be dependent on the successful evaluation of each project, including St. Monica's Youth Centre, by the services steering group, which has been set up to examine the projects, and sufficient funding being in place. The work of the steering group should be completed over the coming weeks with a view to the NAC making recommendations to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion shortly thereafter.
The Deputies should note that each services project has been provided with interim funding pending the outcome of the evaluation procedure. St. Monica's Youth Centre received an allocation of €228,553 under round one of the fund and additional interim funding of €25,395.
Richard Bruton
Question:607 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to an application by a group (details supplied) in Dublin 3 for funding under the youth facilities fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7760/03]
The project referred to by the Deputy formed part of the Dublin North East Develop ment Group's proposals under round two of the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund. 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.
The National Assessment Committee of the fund, which is chaired by my Department, is currently finalising its consideration of the facilities projects submitted under round two of the fund with a view to making recommendations to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion shortly.