My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund, Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 400,000 young people and involve approximately 1,400 youth work staff in 477 projects and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country. In 2014, funding of €50.530m including €750,000 for a new capital funding programme has been provided to my Department for these schemes.
In Co. Kildare, six local youth projects in Athy, Naas, Leixlip, Newbridge, the Curragh and Kildare town, under the auspices of Kildare Youth Services, receive funding under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme. Funding is also provided for a Youth Information Centre in Naas. In addition, Kildare Youth Hub, Kildare Town has recently received approval for a capital grant of €50,000 towards the cost of developing a new youth café facility.
In 2014, funding of €488,200 has been allocated for the projects and services under Kildare Youth Services. The detailed notifications about the allocations and payment arrangements for this year are being issued by my Department this week. As in recent years, national organisations along with the grant administering agencies that administer youth funding, on behalf of my Department, are invited where it is appropriate, to submit proposals to my Department for the reconfiguration of the funding allocations notified to them across projects and funding schemes to better meet local needs. My Department would be happy to consider any such proposals on behalf of Kildare Youth Service and to discuss with the service and Youth Work Ireland any proposals, within their budget, that would assist the organisation in the provision of local services.
My Department, along with all government departments, is required to deliver substantial savings on all funding programmes in line with the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE). My Department, in determining the annual allocations for youth programmes, while having regard to the CRE, has sought to ensure that, as far as is possible, the focus is maintained on the front line youth services particularly those for the most vulnerable young people. This year, I secured an additional €1m in the 2014 Budget to offset the impact of the CRE on the youth services. As a result the overall reduction in 2014 budgets for the youth services at 3.75 % was significantly less had been indicated in the CRE.
I am aware of the challenges that the budgetary constraints raise for the youth services throughout the country and its impact on services such as Kildare Youth Service. I and officials of my Department have met and will continue to meet with many youth organisations and groups to try and see how we can work together to ensure the most effective and efficient use of the resources available in order to continue to support the provision of quality and responsive youth services for young people.
