Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
541. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has considered the report by Indecon for the National Youth Council of Ireland on the Economic Assessment of the Value of Youth Work; if she will ensure that the findings are taken into account in the 2013 budgetary allocations to the youth sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53943/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra542. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has discussed the findings of the National Youth Council of Ireland Economic Assessment of the Value of Youth Work report with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the context of the 2013 budgetary allocations to the youth sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53944/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 542 together.
I welcome the recent publication of the Economic Assessment of the Value of Youth Work carried out by Indecon on behalf of the National Youth Council of Ireland. The report illustrates the breadth, depth and value of the youth work sector in Ireland. It indicates that the youth work sector received in excess of €79 million in State support in 2011 for a range of youth programmes including programmes supported by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health. The report highlights the contribution of volunteers in the youth work sector.
In 2012, funding of €56.806m has been provided by my Department to support the delivery of youth services and programmes through the different schemes which include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund, Youth Information Centres, the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, the Local Drugs Force Task Scheme and certain other programmes including Gaisce- the President’s Award.
These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision and involve 1,400 paid staff and some 40,000 volunteers in 477 youth projects around the country. The National Youth Council’s report provides a comprehensive assessment of the value and contribution of youth work to the economy, to young people themselves and to the social fabric of Irish society. Its publication is timely and the finding have been brought to the attention of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
My Department is working on the determination of the funding allocations for 2013 for youth services and organisations. Having regard to the substantial savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department is seeking to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding. Furthermore, every effort is being made to ensure that the funding for local volunteer-led youth provision continues to be supported for youth clubs and groups which offer quality youth activities for some 100,000 young people throughout the country.
