Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 May 2008
184 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to put in place a fund for the provision of a countrywide network of youth cafes where young people can meet in a safe, legal, alcohol-free and healthy environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18299/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe launch of the National Recreation Policy last September highlighted Government's commitment to the development of youth cafés.
As the Deputy will be aware there are already a number of youth cafés in operation around the country. Funding for these existing initiatives is provided through a number of bodies including local City/County Council and Health Service Executive. The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs also operate a number of relevant funding programmes aimed at supporting community development, locally based community and voluntary groups as well as programmes aimed specifically at supporting projects for disadvantaged youth.
At this stage, my focus is to bring better coherence to the approach taken to date, retaining the strong inter-agency element and identifying an appropriate model(s) for youth cafés for future developments. Since September my office has undertaken a small survey of some of the existing cafés looking at mission/objectives, management and organisation, service levels and the role of young people. It also requested the National Children's Advisory Council's advice on the development of a youth café model and research work has been commissioned by the Council in this regard. I am anticipating the Council will be in a position to report to me shortly. This work will guide government in ensuring that funding is targeted and co-ordinated most effectively on a model or models of youth cafés which meet the needs identified by young people themselves. Discussions are also underway with my Cabinet colleagues regarding a youth café programme and appropriate funding mechanisms. I am considering which agency could best lead on the programme and how to ensure any funding which might be made available augments, without displacing, the existing inter-agency resources.
