Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 March 2014
214. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that the rural clubs co-ordinator position within Youth Work Ireland, Galway, will continue to be funded; if her attention has been drawn to the valuable work of youth club workers in County Galway, covering a distance of over 100 km from Leitir Mor to Ballinasloe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12529/14]
View answer216. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is willing to review the allocation of funding to Youth Work Ireland, Galway for 2014 in view of the impact the current funding allocation for 2014 will have on its activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12608/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 216 together.
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 support 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 such as the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres. In addition, some 31 national youth work organisations, including Youth Work Ireland, are supported under my Department's Youth Service Grant Scheme. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 380,000 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 programmes has been provided to my Department for these schemes.
In 2014, funding of €124,626 has been allocated for three projects under the Special Projects for Youth Schemes (SPY) operated by Youth Work Ireland, Galway. These projects provide valuable services for young people in the area including Recreational Group Work programmes, In-school-Anti-bullying programmes, Summer Camps, Transition from Primary to Secondary programmes and programmes to promote confidence and self-esteem in young people. It also operates a number of rural youth clubs in the area. Funding of €47,163 has also been allocated in 2014 by my Department for a Youth Information Centre in Ballinasloe. I understand from Youth Work Ireland that it is providing an amount of €65,593 to Youth Work Ireland Galway in 2014 to support the delivery of youth work services at regional level. This funding is being provided from the annual grant-aid Youth Work Ireland receives from my Department under the Youth Service Grant Scheme.
In 2013, my Department provided €65,892 to the Galway area under the Local Youth Club Grants Scheme. Funding for this scheme is administered by Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board and supports the work of volunteer-led youth club activities at local level. It is anticipated that a similar level of funding will be provided for clubs in County Galway in 2014. The organisation of the provision of services is a matter for Galway Youth Services and Youth Work Ireland.
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 Youth Work Ireland, Galway. 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.
