Youth Enterprise Initiatives

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Questions (543)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

543. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the proposal in the submission by her Department to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in November 2011 to impose cuts of 10% in 2013 in the following funding schemes, special projects for youth, young people’s and facilities fund round 1 and 2, youth service grant, local drugs task force projects and the youth information centres which on top of cuts of over 20% to date will severely impact the capacity of the sector to meet the needs of young persons, especially the most disadvantaged; if she will give a commitment to protect these funding lines from cuts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53945/12]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth sector. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects.

Funding of €56.806m has been provided to my Department to support the provision of youth services in 2012. Some 477 projects and youth services throughout the country receive support under the schemes. There are 1,400 paid staff and some 40,000 volunteers in local communities involved in the provision of these services and activities for young people.

My Department is working on the funding allocation for youth services in 2013. Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department is seeking to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as is possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding. Youth Organisations and Projects will be advised of their 2013 allocations as soon as possible.