Vol. 492 No. 6
154 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to increase the Government grant to Scouting Ireland CSI; the reason the grant was frozen at 1997 levels in 1998 and no provision was made for inflation and increased costs; if he will review this and consider supplementary payments later this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14732/98]
My Department has made £303,000 available in 1998 for the provision of youth services to Scouting Ireland CSI. Unfortunately, due to the high level of ongoing commitments, it has not been possible in the current year to provide for increases in the level of grant aid made available to individual organisations and initiatives. However, additional funding for 1998 is being sought and in the event of such funding becoming available the level of funding support to youth organisations generally will be reviewed.
