Denis Naughten
Question:16 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps being taken to protect front line youth services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15171/12]
View answerThursday, 22 March 2012
Questions (17)
Written answers
My Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. These include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund (Rounds 1 and 2) and certain other provisions including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres, European Youth in Action Programme (administered by Léargas — The Exchange Bureau) and Gaisce — the President's Award. These programmes support the delivery of youth services to some 500,000 young people by approximately 1,100 youth work personnel and a volunteer base which is estimated to be of the order of 60,000.
The main objectives of my Department are to develop and implement coherent, coordinated and relevant youth policies and strategies to support the youth sector in providing effective non-formal education and developmental opportunities for young people through which they can enhance and develop their personal and social skills and competencies. Funding of some €56.806m for current expenditure and €1.5m for capital expenditure is available from my Department in 2012 to support the provision of youth services and programmes. In determining funding allocations for 2012, as in previous years, the emphasis has been on maintaining front line youth services. The €1.5m capital provision is a new allocation and will support the development of infrastructure for the delivery of youth services, in particular youth cafés which provide recreational outlets in an alcohol free environment. In line with overall requirements to achieve public expenditure swings the current funding allocation for youth services available to my Department was reduced this year. Notwithstanding this overall reduction, I successfully maintained the funding provision for the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme which is important in encouraging a network of volunteer led youth clubs across the county. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am committed to the development of a new youth policy framework which my Department is currently progressing. Through this work a clear policy framework will emerge that will aim to enhance the development, participation and support of young people. I intend that the policy framework will also facilitate and promote co-ordination and coherence across departments and front line youth services and will set out the priorities, rationale and criteria for future funding programmes. This will ensure that the funding available in future years will be used as effectively as possible.