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Youth Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 March 2004

Tuesday, 9 March 2004

Ceisteanna (64, 65, 66)

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

138 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason the young people’s facilities and services fund has been cut by a further 27%, according to the Revised Estimates for his Department; the reason this most needy of areas was deemed fit to cut by such a substantial amount; the implications this cutback will have on the next round of funding and mainstreaming of existing projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7672/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Bruton

Ceist:

154 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of money which has been allocated to the young people’s facilities and services fund in 2004; when the next round of funding allocations will begin; the number of groups it is anticipated will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7647/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Damien English

Ceist:

193 Mr. English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when mainstreaming of service positions from round 1 of young people’s facilities and services fund will be implemented; when the allocation of €2 million for each LDTF area for the second round of YPFSF, promised in 2002, will be made available to local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7648/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 154 and 193 together.

A sum of €26.756 million has been has been provided in my Department's Vote for expenditure in the drugs area in 2004. This funding will primarily be spent on projects and initiatives funded through the local drugs task forces and the young people's facilities and services fund, YPFSF, and research projects undertaken by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs. I am not in a position to say what moneys will ultimately be spent on YPFSF in 2004 as this will be dependent on demands on the Vote throughout the year.

The Deputies should also note that funding of €32.036 million was provided in 2003 for the drugs area within my Department's Vote. However, the actual outturn of expenditure last year was €36.463 million, since an additional €4.4 million was provided from savings within the Vote and allocated to the drugs area, primarily for the YPFSF. I assure the Deputies that funding for drugs in 2004 is not being reduced.

The difference in provision, as outlined in 2004 Revised Estimates, arises from the mainstreaming of successfully evaluated services projects from round 1 of the YPFSF. Some 85 projects were positively evaluated and have been mainstreamed with effect from 1 January 2004. As a result, an amount of €6.705 million has been transferred to the Votes of the Departments of Education and Science — €6.594 million — and Justice, Equality and Law Reform — €0.111 million — which are now responsible for the continued funding of the projects in question. I will be making announcements about the second round of allocations under the fund in the very near future.

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