Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2017
544. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress her Department is making in establishing a new youth funding programme in view of a 2014 review of youth services and its subsequent recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30905/17]
View answer545. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has been working in relation to mapping of youth service provision across the State; the areas which are showing high levels of deprivation in relation to youth services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30906/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 544 and 545 together.
The Value for Money and Policy Review (VFMPR) of the Youth Funding programmes 2014 examined three of the targeted funding schemes, the Special Projects for Youth scheme, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund, and Local Drug Task Force projects scheme. The schemes support the provision of youth services for young people who are at risk of drugs, alcohol misuse, early school leaving, homelessness or who are living in disadvantaged communities. The review involved an in-depth scrutiny of a complex area to do with the impact youth service provision has in young people’s lives. Overall, the review found that the youth programmes can provide a significant contribution to improving outcomes for young people and should be considered for on-going public funding. The review makes a number of recommendations for the future operation of the youth schemes and their development in the years ahead to ensure an evidence-based and outcomes focussed programme designed to secure the optimal outcomes for young people.
The implementation of the recommendations in the review have commenced over the course of 2015, 2016 and this year. The National Youth Strategy Lead Team, established in July 2016, has a specific sub-group to support implementation of the VFMPR. My Department has initiated a detailed consultation at national and regional level with the youth sector and providers of youth services about the review's findings and recommendations. Consultations have taken place with the national youth organisation, local youth services and youth officers of the Education and Training Boards that administer funding on behalf of my Department, and with other youth interests. A youth consultation process is also underway to inform the development of the VFMPR implementation.
To facilitate the review’s recommendations regarding the future development of a single targeted youth funding programme to replace the current schemes, I have given approval for funding to be provided for the establishment of several sample projects in 2016 and 2017. These sample projects will provide youth services in areas of need as identified by the Education and Training Boards with responsibility for those regions.
In implementing another of the review’s recommendations, my Department embarked on an exercise, in conjunction with Pobal and each Education and Training Board Youth Officer, to map youth service provision across the State. This mapping exercise will assist my Department and the relevant Education and Training Board in developing a detailed social demographic profile in terms of both population numbers and deprivation levels, particularly as the Census 2016 data becomes available. Following extensive work by those involved, this exercise is now in its final stage. It remains my intention that this mapping exercise will inform future development and investment in youth services. The map will available to view on Pobal's website from September.
