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Youth Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2012

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

Questions (162)

Tom Fleming

Question:

162. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will reverse a decision (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57313/12]

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Written answers

In 2012, €39,712,927 will be distributed by my Department to 477 youth projects throughout the country. The allocations are distributed to the youth projects through 39 administering agencies/bodies that hold funding administration status. These include VECs, national youth organisations and 11 other bodies including some county councils.

My Department is examining the scope for streamlining the tasks associated with the financial management of funding for projects to achieve greater efficiency in the administration of funding. From January 2013, it is proposed to transfer the administration of the allocated funding involving six national organisations to the City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB). These six national bodies are currently responsible for administering funding to some 30 youth projects on behalf of my Department.

CDYSB is a statutory board established in 1942, under the City of Dublin VEC. The CDYSB, on behalf of CDVEC, has for several years, undertaken the administration of some 50 youth projects in the Dublin City area and has developed a strong track record in managing these payments. The initiative is subject to the successful completion of a service level agreement between my Department and the CDVEC and discussions are ongoing with CDYSB at present.

The proposed revised administration process will be monitored during 2013 for efficiency and effectiveness for the Department and for the projects concerned. Subject to a successful transition to the new system it is proposed that consideration will be given to further streamlining financial processing arrangements in 2014.

It is envisaged that the successful streamlining of the administration of the funding for the youth projects will deliver benefits in terms of saving on the administration costs incurred under the present arrangements and efficiencies for both the Department and projects themselves.

Every effort is being made my Department to ensure that, in the administration of the funding allocations in the present challenging budgetary situation, the focus is maintained on the provision of the front line services for young people. The VECs have a statutory role in the provision of youth services and further legislative provision to continue this important function is contained in the Education and Training Boards Bill, 2012. Indeed it would be the hope of the Department that, in reducing the administrative burden in relation to the funding of projects, the role of youth officers, in supporting youth projects in the delivery of a quality youth service to young people, would be strengthened. The VECs will continue to receive funding from the Department in respect of this valued role including for the costs of the youth officers employed by them.

My Department will communicate further and hold discussions about the proposals for change with the VECs and other organisations that administer funding on its behalf during the course of 2013. Officials from my Department are in ongoing discussions with the Irish Vocational Educational Association.

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