Funding at the disposal of the youth affairs section in my Department is designed principally to ensure the provision of non-formal educational opportunities for young people. For this purpose, grant-in-aid funding is provided for youth organisations at national level under the youth service grant scheme, special youth work projects for disadvantaged young people and youth clubs and groups through the local youth club grant scheme. These schemes are of a current expenditure nature.
In 1998, the Government approved the establishment of the young people's facilities and services fund to assist in the development of preventative strategies in a targeted manner through the provision of youth facilities, including sport and recreational facilities and services in disadvantaged areas, where a significant drug problem has been identified or has the potential to develop. Decisions regarding locations from the fund are made by a national assessment committee, which is chaired by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. My Department agreed to administer the funding to the local authorities and vocational educational committees in respect of more than 300 capital and services projects. The capital provision in respect of the YPFSF for the years 2000 to 2002 was €4.762 million, €11.0645 million and €10.254 million, respectively, and was administered by the youth affairs section. In 2003, responsibility for the YPFSF funding transferred to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
In addition, my Department's youth affairs section made available a once-off capital contribution of €1.27 million towards the reconstruction costs of the Limerick youth services centre, which had been announced in the 2001 budget. A capital allocation of €507,895 was provided in the post primary capital Vote in 2000 towards the cost of the construction of an administrative building and resource centre of the Catholic Scouts of Ireland. A total of €457,105.71 was drawn down by June 2001 and the balance in June 2003.
In addition, a capital allocation of €1,237,994.63 was provided for An Óige in the post-primary capital Vote in 2000. The allocation was in respect of refurbishment works to Aughavannagh youth hostel. To date, this grant has not been drawn down by An Óige.
