The Deputy will be aware that, in 1998, the young peoples facilities and services fund was set up to develop sport and recreational facilities and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. The guidelines for the operation of the fund, which were agreed by the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion, provided for the establishment of development groups in local drugs task force areas comprising representatives from the local drugs task force, the local authority and the VEC to develop local integrated facilities and services plans. The views of the local drugs task forces were sought in relation to each of the plans which were then submitted to the national assessment committee for consideration. To date, over 59 million has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion to support measures under the first round of funding.
In relation to the next round of funding under the YPFSF, the Deputy will be aware that development groups have been asked to submit proposals in relation to capital projects by mid-March 2002. The role of the development groups in relation to the second round of funding remains unchanged.
