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Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Questions (474)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

474. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide the full year effect of all expenditure reductions for her Department as set out in the expenditure report 2014, as was provided for in the expenditure report 2013. [44741/13]

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Written answers

The Estimate provision for my Department in 2014 will amount to €449 million which represents an increase of almost €15 million over its 2013 allocation. This level of funding is especially significant when account is taken of the €9 million in savings, identified in Section C of the 2014 Expenditure Report, which are built-in as a result of commitments made in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012 – 2014. These savings are being achieved, to the greatest extent possible, through increased operating efficiencies and value for money to protect front line services. I consider that my Department`s Budget allocation for 2014 will enable the delivery of a significant level of public services, as well a number of new policy measures which include:

- Additional funding to support the programme of reform for child welfare and protection services that will be implemented by the new Child and Family Agency which is due to be established in January 2014;

- Delivery of a Pre-School Quality Agenda which seeks to support high standards through supporting the efforts of providers and their staff in delivering improved and more reliable quality; and to respond to concerns raised by parents;

- Additional investment to address child poverty through the Area Based Childhood (ABC) programme - a joint initiative between my Department and Atlantic Philanthropies to improve outcomes for children in disadvantaged communities; and

- Additional funding to support youth organisations and services.

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