Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012
444 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made by her to date towards establishing dialogue and networking with youth groups throughout the country with the objective of meeting any necessary requirements arising; the extent to which she has to date sought and or received submissions in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33669/12]
View answer445 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she has identified the most serious deficiencies in children and youth support or other services; the progress made in addressing such issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33670/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 445 together.
As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, improving children's and young people's outcomes is my primary objective. Early childhood care and education programmes, in particular those that are aimed at low income families, are priorities to enhance children's opportunities for social and educational development. In 2012, some €230 million in all will be provided by my Department for these schemes. This year some 66,000 children throughout the country will benefit from the free preschool year in the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, while some 26,000 children in low income households will benefit under the Community Childcare Subvention programme.
My Department supports the delivery of a range of youth work programme and services, including programmes for young people living in disadvantaged communities. In 2012, funding of €56.8m (current expenditure) will be invested in provision for youth. The programmes are delivered by the voluntary youth work sector. They include "out of school" projects in non-formal education settings and projects which aim to divert "at risk" young people in disadvantaged areas from the dangers of substance misuse; as well as the provision of community centres, youth facilities and sports clubs. Over 500,000 young people including those who are disadvantaged or marginalised benefit from the youth work programmes and services provided by the voluntary youth work sector by some 1,100 youth work personnel. This work is supported by a large volunteer base estimated to be in the region of 60,000.
Some 31 national and major regional voluntary youth organisations are supported under the Youth Service Grant Scheme to provide universal youth work opportunities for over 200,000 young people aged between 10 and 21. These programmes promote and support young people's development and well-being and assist them in becoming self-reliant, responsible and active participants in society. Young people who are disadvantaged are a particular priority, for example young homeless people, those who are at risk of substance misuse and young travellers and funding of the order of €39.6m supports a range of programmes and initiatives for these young people. Support is also provided to some 1,600 local volunteer led youth clubs with almost 90,000 members (€1m in 2012) and to 28 youth information centres which provide young people with easy access to information on rights, employment, education and training opportunities etc (€1.4m in 2012).
Youth cafés have become increasingly prominent as a total of €1.7m has been allocated to date by my Department to support the provision of youth cafés as a means to provide young people with opportunities in the community. My Department estimates that between 75-100 youth café facilities now operate across the State. These facilities are proving hugely beneficial to local communities in terms of broader engagement with young people. Capital funding of €2.25m has been provided to my Department for 2012 and 2013 for youth projects, including youth cafés. I expect to announce plans for the distribution of this funding in the very near future.
Dialogue and networking opportunities with young people and youth service providers is extremely important as it helps me and my Department provide relevant and responsive services and supports for young people. A number of groups including the National Children's Advisory Committee, the National Youth Work Advisory Task Group and an International Expert Reference Group are assisting my Department in the development of youth policy and service for the future. My Department is currently developing a Children's and Young People's Policy Framework. Already some 67,000 young people have been consulted. A public consultation on this Framework is underway at present. The consultation is aimed at voluntary and community groups, national and local organisations, families and all those that work with children and young people.
Furthermore, as part of the Structured Dialogue process with young people during Ireland's Presidency of the EU, I will host a three-day event in Dublin which will bring together young people and policy-makers across the EU to jointly discuss and feed into youth policy at national and European level. I am exploring ways to involve as many young people as possible from a range of backgrounds into this structured dialogue process at local, regional and national level so that their views may inform the development of youth policy objectives and services for the future.
