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Youth Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 February 2013

Wednesday, 13 February 2013

Questions (190, 191, 194, 198, 200)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which she continues to engage with youth organisations in the context of meeting the requirements of children and young people in general; if any particular issues have arisen wherein her Department may be able to make a positive intervention with particular reference to the impact of the ongoing economic situation on young people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7573/13]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she has identified the main issues affecting young people in today’s economic situation; the degree to which she can find herself in a position to respond to any such needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7574/13]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which research has been undertaken to identify the most common causes of concern and stress amongst young people in modern times; the extent to which any corrective measures can be put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7577/13]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she and-or her Department will provide intervention and/or support services to teenagers or young people who are subjected to bullying outside of school hours or in employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7581/13]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the extent to which she and her Department have 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. [7583/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 190, 191, 194, 198 and 200 together.

Funding of €53.173m, including €1.75 for a new capital funding programme, has been provided to my Department in 2013 for the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country through a number of schemes.

These schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drug Task Force projects and certain other provisions including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres. This funding 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. There are some 1,400 youth work staff in 477 projects and over 40,000 volunteers involved in the provision of services and activities for young people.

Each year over 380,000 young people participate in youth services. Youth work and non formal learning in its many programmes and activities; recreational, sporting, learning, volunteering and personal development, offers young people opportunities to acquire new competences and skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, resilience, motivation, creativity and leadership. These are core and transferable life skills; the 21st century skills that are so important to equip young people for the challenges in today’s world.

There is a growing recognition in Ireland and across Europe of the significance of youth work in promoting young people’s development, health and wellbeing, enhancing their participation in education, training and employment and the potential youth work has, as part of wider strategies to respond to the challenges that arise, as a result of the current economic situation, such as youth employment. My Department is working closely with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Education and Skills and Department of Social Protection in the context of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs to identify in what ways the youth sector can contribute to shared policy objectives to address youth employment. As part of the programme of the EU Presidency of the Youth Council, I will hold an expert round table on the subject in on 21st June 2013.

The role of research and consultations with youth sector interests and the young people themselves are central elements in my Department’s approach to the formulation of the youth policy services that are responsive to young peoples needs. My Department has commissioned a review of international best practice in the field of youth work to advance our understanding of the impact of youth services in the lives of children and young people. The study will inform a new Youth Policy Framework which is planned by my Department for later this year. The findings of the Growing Up In Ireland Study of my Department and other studies including EU studies have been significant in relation to providing information about children and young peoples experience of bullying and its impact on them.

The Action Plan on Bullying - produced by cross-sectoral working group on which my Department and the youth services were represented, contains a range of evidence based actions to support parents, young people, schools and community interests, in tackling this issue which can have a serious impact on young people. My Department will work closely with the Department of Education and Skills on the implementation of the Action Plan and is undertaking a series of initiatives to raise awareness about the problem and the measures to be taken to tackle prejudice and promote a safer environment for our young people. The Youth Clubs funded by my Department are an important outlet for children and young people in this context. Their activities can help to build self esteem, increase confidence and strengthen friendships so that young people are better equipped to counter bullying behaviour.

Consultations with young people themselves and their identification of needs for supports and facilities is a core feature of the National Play and Recreation policy. As a result of the policy many local authorities have developed world class play facilities. Youth cafes funded by my Department are a particular success responding directly to teenagers identified need for places to ‘hang out’ and an alternative to pub and drug culture. My Department estimates that there are between 75 and 100 youth cafes now in place around the country. I will shortly be announcing details of the €1.75m in capital funding that is available this year for the further development of these and other facilities to respond to young people.

My Department works closely with the youth sector organisations to address the needs of children and young people. The National Youth Work Advisory Committee is an important source of advice and guidance to my Department in developing youth policy and initiatives. The committee is composed of a chairperson and 32 members drawn equally from the voluntary and statutory sectors involved in the administration and provision of youth work programmes and services. This committee advises my Department on matters relating to the development and coordination of youth work policies, programmes and services.

Question No. 192 answered with Question No. 25.
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