The youth affairs section of my Department administers a scheme of grants in respect of special out-of-school projects for disadvantaged young people. Grant-aid is allocated to organisations and groups for specific projects which seek to address the needs of young people who are disadvantaged. Because of the extent of commitments on the youth service as a whole, it has been possible to provide grant-aid only to a very limited number of new initiatives in recent years.
However, my Department, through Comhairle le Leas Óige (the youth work sub-committee of the City of Dublin vocational education committee) provided £10,000 in 1995 for the development of a part-time programme for young people at risk in co-operation with the Cherry Orchard Youth Project. In addition, Ballyfermot Youth Federation, also funded by my Department, provides the services of a youth worker in the Cherry Orchard area.
Applications received in respect of 1996 will be considered in the light of existing commitments and the overall budget available for youth affairs in 1996.