Written Answers - Youth Organisations.
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:
342
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if a capital fund exists from which grants could be paid for the erection or refurbishment of youth centres; and, if not, the plans, if any, the Government has to establish this.
[19057/99]
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:
343
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the funding available, if any, for the support of youth work and youth centres in rural Ireland.
[19058/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.
Youth organisations receive funding from my Department in the form of grant-in-aid under three main schemes – the youth service grant scheme, the scheme for projects to assist disadvantaged youth and the young people's facilities and services fund.
The youth service grant scheme provides non-capital funding to national youth organisations, and it is a matter for the organisation in receipt of funds to ensure the appropriate financial support for its projects, programmes, project workers, and affiliated groups, having regard to the overall level of grant aid available. The funding for this scheme in 1999 is £5,738,243.
The scheme for projects to assist disadvantaged youth provides non-capital funding to projects in rural and urban areas. A sum of £6,949,846 has been provided for this scheme in 1999.
The young people's facilities and services fund will provide £35 million over three years, 1999 – 2001. The purpose of the fund is to develop youth facilities, including sports and recreational facilities, and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. Funding of over £13 million will go towards the building and refurbishment of youth, community and sports facilities. Over the three years of the fund, 86 capital projects will receive funding, including 41 youth centres, 25 community centres and 20 sports facilities.
My Department has also recently announced a new pilot local youth clubs grant scheme. The scheme will provide support for youth work activities at local level by making grant aid available to youth clubs and groups. The funding for the scheme, which will be administered by the vocational education committees, is £300,000 in 1999, and it will provide a valuable source of direct funding for individual youth clubs and groups throughout the country.
The Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation also provides funds for a youth and sports grant scheme which is also administered by the vocational education committees.
