Vol. 574 No. 2
202 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding will be allocated to the National Youth Council of Ireland to overcome their deficit of ?5 million to ensure that all projects by the group can be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26657/03]
The funding for the youth affairs section of my Department for 2003 is €27.123 million which is a 5.5% increase over 2002. Provision for the youth work sector increased by almost 60% from 1997 to 2003 which demonstrates the Government's commitment to supporting the work of the youth sector. I do not, therefore, accept that there is a serious financial shortfall in the sector as the cumulative increase since 1997 has been very significant and well ahead of inflation over that period of time.
I am conscious of the issues and concerns being raised by the National Youth Council of Ireland regarding future funding for ongoing youth work programmes and services and further implementation of the Youth Work Act 2001 and the national youth work development plan 2003-2007. The figure of €5 million referred to by the council relates to these activities. The question of additional funding for the youth sector will be dealt with in the 2004 Estimates process. I might point out that of its nature, the Youth Work Act 2001 has to be implemented on an incremental basis. The national youth work development plan is intended to cover a five-year period and was published earlier this year on the basis of its phased implementation as financial resources permit.
