Vol. 575 No. 5
80 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way he is working to support youth services in communities; the funding available; his further plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28576/03]
My Department's primary role with respect to supporting youth services in communities is through the young peoples facilities and services fund – YPFSF. The objective of the fund, which was established in 1998, is to attract at-risk young people into facilities, including sport and recreational facilities, and services and divert them away from the dangers of substance misuse. To date, over €59 million has been allocated under the fund to support in the region of 350 projects.
In addition, a number of other programmes administered by my Department are relevant in this regard, namely: the local development social inclusion programme which seeks to counter disadvantage and to promote equality and social and economic inclusion. Community based youth initiatives are one of the three main strands of the programme and area partnerships and community groups support a variety of projects in this regard; and the LEADER+ programme which in its funding of projects has identified two groups for priority attention which it considers represent the key to the development of rural areas – women and young people. While youth may not be a specific focus of projects funded through the community development programmes, projects undertake work with the youth in their target areas.
Funding is also available under the CLÁR programme to support youth services and facilities and from my own Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta to support such services in the Gaeltacht.
Question No. 81 answered with Question No. 72.
