As the Deputy is aware, the aim of the young persons facilities and services fund, established by the Government in 1998, is to attract "at risk" young people in disadvantaged areas into facilities, programmes and activities that will divert them away from the dangers of substance abuse.
The main areas being targeted under the fund are the 14 local task force areas of Dublin, Bray and Cork, where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. However, recognising that the drug problem is not confined to the local drugs task force areas, funding was also allocated to a number of urban areas, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Carlow. A separate allocation was also made to assist a number of voluntary organisations with a national or regional remit, which have the capacity to deliver targeted education and prevention initiatives.
To date, over €72 million has been allocated under the fund to support in the region of 450 facility and services projects. This amount includes the €13 million worth of allocations which I recently announced for over 100 round II proposals. Through the new funding being allocated, a number of new dedicated youth and community centres will be built and a wide and diverse variety of youth work projects across the 14 drugs task force areas will be supported. Substantial funding is also being made available towards the staffing and operational costs of a number of larger community/youth centres built under round I of the fund. There are no plans at present to extend the young persons facilities and services fund to other areas.
