The Youth Affairs Section of my Department provides grant-in-aid assistance to
support the operation of 32 Youth Information Centres whose purpose is to
provide young people with information on a wide range of issues in a suitably
conducive atmosphere. Applications were received for funding for Youth
Information Centres in Finglas and Ballymun but it has not been possible to
provide funding for those centres because of finite financial resources and in
light of other commitments to the youth work sector.
A review has been commissioned by the Department which will help inform the
future direction of youth information provision. Future funding applications
for proposed new centres will be examined having regard to the recommendations
of this review, which is nearing completion. I would like to assure the Deputy
of my commitment to continued support of the youth work sector in Ireland and
its work.