Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014
549. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review the funding cut to Youth Work Ireland Galway, in view of the threat to the rural co-ordinator position within the group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17451/14]
View answer559. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding will be maintained for the position of youth club officer with Youth Work Ireland who currently assists youth clubs and other youth facilities in County Galway with Garda vetting procedures, child protection requirements and issues, leadership training and other issues which are vital to the operation of youth facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18072/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 549 and 559 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 and major regional 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, current funding of €49.78m 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). 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.
In 2014, funding of €124,626 has been allocated for three projects under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme operated by Youth Work Ireland, Galway. Funding of €47,163 has also been allocated in 2014 for a Youth Information Centre in Ballinalsoe. The projects provide a range of quality services for young people in the area including activities such as recreational group work, youth clubs, in-school-anti-bullying initiatives, Summer camps, transition from primary to secondary school programmes and programmes to promote confidence and self-esteem in young people. The allocations provided in 2014 represent a reduction of 3.75% over the allocation provided in 2013 for the services.
In addition, I understand that Youth Work Ireland 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.
The funding provided under the schemes administered by my Department is intended to support the provision of services to young people by the voluntary youth sector and the operational arrangements for local services including the assignment of staff are matters for the organisations themselves.
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.
