Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 3

Written Answers. - Youth Services.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

607 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made on an application from an organisation (details supplied) in County Carlow for funding for youth information services; and if the application will be expedited and a positive reply given. [7891/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

My Department, in consultation with the National Youth Information Monitoring Committee, is currently examining proposals for the extension of the existing network of youth information centres, including a proposal submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy. I would hope to be in a position to make announcements in this regard in the near future.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

608 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department ever considered funding for a club development worker for County Carlow as applied for by an organisation (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this application was made almost eight years ago and there is an urgent need to fund this position in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7892/99]

John McGuinness

Ceist:

613 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the difference in the amount of funding available to youth organisations in Kildare, Carlow and Kilkenny; his views on the statistic which shows young people in Carlow receive 22p per head towards youth services and neighbouring counties receive £6.80 per head; if he will rectify this situation in the allocations in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7899/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 608 and 613 together.

Youth organisations receive funding from my Department in the form of grant-in-aid under two main schemes – the youth service grant scheme and the scheme for projects to assist disadvantaged youth. It is a matter for an organisation in receipt of funds to ensure the appropriate financial support for its projects, programmes, and project workers, having regard to the overall level of grant aid available. Youth organisations are not specifically funded along county or geographical boundaries.

Applications for funding are considered each year having regard to policy considerations, existing commitments and to the overall level of financial resources available for youth organisations. Likewise, applications for 1999 funding will be considered together with other demands on the youth service budget.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

609 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will re-consider an application from an organisation (details supplied) in County Carlow for a youth worker for the disadvantaged area of New Oak Estate, Carlow; if he will agree this funding for 1999 in view of the urgency of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7893/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

My Department was not in a position to provide funding to this project in 1998 due to the high level of ongoing commitments to existing projects under the grant scheme for special projects to assist disadvantaged youth.

Proposals for the provision of new initiatives in 1999 under the disadvantaged scheme, including New Oak, are currently being examined by my Department and I would hope to be in a position to make announcements in this regard in the near future.