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Departmental Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 March 2014

Thursday, 13 March 2014

Questions (218)

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

218. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on any planned improvements in the provision for services for teenagers who need supports (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12629/14]

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Written answers

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 National Organisations such as Crosscare under Youth Service Grant scheme 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. 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.

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). In determining the annual allocations for youth programmes, while having regard to the CRE, my Department 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.

In 2014 €86,029 is being provided for Lucan Youth Service ( LYS ) under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme. This service which operates under Crosscare, formerly Catholic Youth Care, aims to promote the holistic development of young people. LYS delivers a planned programme of educational activities/programmes to promote social, personal and lifelong learning. LYS also facilitates a variety of initiatives which reflect the assessed needs of young adults within the community eg. drop-ins, youth café, summer projects, art and training opportunities.

I am aware of the challenges that the budgetary constraints raise for the youth services throughout the country. 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.

With regard to the future development of provision for young people, my Department is undertaking a comprehensive Value for Money Review of youth funding schemes that support services to young people. The findings of this review will shape the future direction of youth funding provided by my Department and will aim to ensure quality effective value-for-money services that secure best outcomes for young people.

My Department is also developing a new Youth Strategy. This will, inter alia, promote co-ordination between government departments and youth sector organisations with a view to maximising the effectiveness of the state funding available to support services for young people in future years.

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