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Youth Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2012

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Ceisteanna (500, 501)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

576 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views regarding cuts to the youth work funding (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22028/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €56.806m for current expenditure and €1.5m for capital expenditure was allocated in 2012 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The distribution of the capital funding is under active consideration at present and a decision in relation to its distribution will be announced shortly.

In light of the significant reduction in the overall current budget for the youth sector over the past few years, the emphasis has been, and will continue to be, on preserving front line youth services. In determining financial allocations to initiatives and schemes in 2012 officials from my Department have met with representatives of the youth sector on an ongoing basis with a view to determining how best to minimise the impact of the reduction on youth services. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am committed to the development of a new youth policy framework which my Department is currently progressing. Through this work a clear policy framework will emerge that will aim to enhance the development, participation and support of young people. I intend that the policy framework will also facilitate and promote co-ordination and cohesion across departments and front line youth services. This will ensure that the funding available in future years will be used as effectively as possible.

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

577 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding available to an organisation (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21440/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. One of these schemes is the Youth Service Grant Scheme which provides support to national youth organisations. The Deputy might wish to note that under this Scheme funding amounting to €1,645,457 in 2012 is provided to the Catholic Guides of Ireland, the Irish Girl Guides and Scouting Ireland Ltd. In addition, the organisation referred to by the Deputy has received funding under the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme.

To support my Department's commitment to the development of quality, front-line youth projects and services which address the changing needs of young people and their communities, I have ensured that, as part of the Government's Capital Review published in November 2011, capital funding available for youth projects will increase to an annual amount of €1.5m in 2012. My Department is currently developing a strategy for the implementation and administration of this measure so as to ensure impact, resource effectiveness and value for money. Information in relation to the distribution of this funding will issue in the near future to administering agencies such as the Vocational Education Committees.

Subhead C.6 of Vote 43 for my Department also contains a funding resource allocation of €500,000 in 2012 to support community groups and organisations with an involvement in the provision of supports and services to children and young people under the application based National Lottery Funding Scheme. It will be open to the organisation to apply for funding from this source and details of the funding scheme, including the related application form, are available on my Department's website www.dcya.gov.ie.

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