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Youth Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Questions (575, 576, 577)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

575. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied in regard to the extent to which her Department has put in place the necessary services, including outreach services, to meet the current and ongoing requirements of youth with particular reference to the young and-or at risk or vulnerable; if she expects her Department to operate in conjunction with the Health Service Executive or separately in such matters, particularly in relation to young people with stress, depression or psychological issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57033/12]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

576. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which her Department has identified the issues currently most likely to affect young people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57034/12]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

577. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if in the context of youth services for the future, she has in mind any particular proposals to identify, address and resolve the concerns of young people most likely to be affected by feelings of isolation or depression; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57035/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 575 to 577, inclusive, together.

The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector including programmes that specifically target young people who are at risk of substance misuse or are socially and economically disadvantaged. Some €53m in funding is being provided by my Department in 2013 for the provision of youth services. In addition, in 2012/2013 capital funding is being made available for the development of youth facilities including Youth Cafés which are proving particularly beneficial in engaging young people who may not traditionally access youth services.

My Department provided grant aid of €88,358 for 2012 towards the administration of the National Youth Health Programme. This programme is a partnership between my Department, the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) and the Health Service Executive. The aim of the programme is to provide a broad-based, flexible health promotion /education support and training service to youth organisations and to all those working with young people in out-of-school settings. The programme has sought to develop the capacity of the sector and organisations to advocate on issues that affect young people and develop evidenced based resources and training to support that work. The advantage of this training is evident in the fact that Youth Work often acts as the first point of contact and referral in the interface with other youth-related services spanning the realms of care, health and welfare.

My Department is also represented on the Anti-Bullying Working Group which is being led by my colleague Deputy Ruairí Quinn, Minister for Education and Skills. The core task of this group is to develop a plan that will identify priorities to combat all bullying in schools including actions to be taken by the Department of Education and Skills, other government departments and agencies and schools communities. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am committed to placing children, young people and families at the heart of the work of my Department. In this regard, my Department supports the provision of a wide range of services and supports for children, young people and families. To further enhance this work, a new children’s strategy and youth policy framework are currently being progressed by my Department; these will place outcomes for children and young people at the centre of policy and service delivery and will aim to support children and young people to an even greater extent as they progress through important life stages.

One of my key aims for policy development within my Department will be to ensure optimum use of all the financial and human resources available. Accordingly, the development of my Department’s policies in relation to children and young people will focus specifically on ensuring greater coordination and impact in policy and services so as to ensure quality outcomes in terms of young peoples safety, health and wellbeing, their participation in education, in their community and in social and economic life.

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