Michael Ring
Ceist:145 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if additional funding will be provided to national youth development organisations. [18006/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 16 June 2004
Ceisteanna (105)
Freagraí scríofa
The funding for the youth affairs section of my Department for 2004 is €28.624 million, which is an increase of 5.5% over the 2003 allocation of €27.123 million. In addition, an amount of €0.5 million has been made available in 2004 towards the implementation of the National Youth Work Development Plan 2003-2007.
A significant proportion of this funding is expended each year on the special projects for youth scheme which specifically targets young people in disadvantaged areas. There are 164 special projects currently in receipt of funding under this scheme.
Section 1 of the Youth Work Act 2001 allows for it to be implemented at various stages. To date, sections 2 to 7, 17, 18 and 24 have been commenced. A sub-committee of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee was established to make recommendations on the requirements necessary for the implementation of the various sections of the Act. This sub-committee comprises representatives of both statutory and voluntary sectors as well as my Department. The work of the sub-committee is ongoing and preparatory work is also being carried out in regard to sections 19, 20 and 25 of the Act.
The implementation of further sections of the Act will depend on the availability of necessary resources. It is my intention that further discussions will take place between my Department and the IVEA-CEO's association and the National Youth Council of Ireland in the context of the Estimates for 2005. These discussions will take place as appropriate and necessary.
I am aware of the issues and concerns in the youth work sector regarding future funding for both the ongoing support for youth work programmes and services and the further implementation of the Act and to this end I will continue to seek funding through the Estimates process for 2005.