The national youth health programme is a partnership operated by the National Youth Council of Ireland with the youth affairs section of the Department of Education and Science and the health promotion unit of the Department of Health and Children.
A payment of €37,505 was made by my Department in April 2003 towards the operation of the programme in 2003. This amount represents half of the total grant paid in 2002. The Department is currently considering the final allocation for 2003, having regard to financial resources available and the amount requested. The national youth health programme will be notified of its final allocation shortly.
The ongoing development of the programme is discussed at management committee level on which the Department is represented. A work programme has been agreed upon for 2003 and is currently in operation.
Based on information provided by the health promotion co-ordinator at the National Youth Council of Ireland, it is estimated that approximately 2,130 young people will benefit from the national youth health programme in 2002-2003.