The Young Peoples Facilities & Services Fund (YPFSF) was established in 1998 to assist in the development of facilities (including sport and recreational facilities) and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem existed or had the potential to develop. To date, over €125m has been allocated, with approximately 330 staff being supported.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to continue the operation of the YPFSF. I fully endorse this decision and, indeed, from my experience on the ground and my involvement in youth work, I am strongly of the view that the YPFSF constitutes a very important part of the preventative pillar of the overall National Drugs Strategy. I also believe that it has contributed significantly to diverting many young people away from the dangers of drug dependency by providing positive alternatives.
At present, the Fund operates in Local Drug Task Force areas in Dublin, Bray and Cork, as well as Limerick, Waterford and Galway cities and Carlow town. The Programme for Government further commits to extending the Fund to further towns, mainly in Leinster. My Department is currently considering how best to do that and I hope to make announcements in this regard in the coming months.
I am determined that the YPFSF will continue to successfully facilitate the delivery of quality services to people in the 10 to 21 years age group with the aim of ensuring that the young people involved maintain a drugs-free lifestyle.