EU Bodies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2016

Tuesday, 31 May 2016

Questions (937, 938)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

937. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she or her officials will raise at the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council of the European Union later in May 2016 concerns about the European funding of the European Union Youth Orchestra, arising from changes in the manner in which Creative Europe funds are allocated; if she and her officials will call on the European Union Council and the European Commission to work with this organisation to ensure that this long-standing European youth and cultural institution does not disappear; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13400/16]

Michael McGrath

Question:

938. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is aware of the fact that the European Union Youth Orchestra, EUYO, is to cease trading from September 2016 due to a lack of European funding in the context of changes in the Creative Europe funding processes; if she will seek to raise the matter at the scheduled meeting of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport European Council on 30 May to 31 May 2016 to see if an alternative way of funding EUYO can be identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13451/16]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 937 and 938 together.

My Department administers a number of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services, by the voluntary youth sector, for young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. My Department does not have a policy or funding role in relation to the European Union Youth Orchestra. As the matters raised fall within the remit of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I have made arrangements for the enquiry to be forwarded to that department for direct reply to the Deputy.