The national assessment committee, NAC, of the young peoples facilities and services fund, 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, thereby enabling their ongoing provision by statutory agencies.
Qualification for continued funding will be dependent on the successful evaluation of each project 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 has been completed and recommendations have been made to the NAC with a view to making final recommendations to the Cabinet committee on social inclusion at its June meeting. The development groups will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.
The position regarding the funding of additional proposals is being considered by the national assessment committee which is having discussions with the relevant Departments and State agencies involved.
The Cabinet committee recently considered a number of issues in relation to the operation of the fund, including its future funding. The matter remains under review.