Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
25. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will restore the 30% cut in youth services provision since 2008, including the cuts made by his Government since coming to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14460/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 380,000 young people and involve approximately 1,400 youth work staff in 477 projects and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country. My Department, along with all government departments, was required to deliver substantial savings on all funding programmes in line with the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) in the years 2012, 2013 and 2014. In determining the annual allocations for youth programmes, while having regard to the CRE, my Department sought to ensure that, as far as is possible, the focus was maintained on the front line youth services particularly those for the most vulnerable young people. In 2015, funding of €49.93m has been provided to my Department for these schemes. There has been no reduction in the overall allocation for youth services in 2015 which was a key priority for youth organisations.
My Department is developing a new National Youth Strategy. Based on Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures - the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020, it will be a universal strategy for all young people aged 10 to 24. It will have a particular focus on those who are most disadvantaged or at risk and who have the poorest outcomes and therefore in most need of support.
The National Youth Strategy is being developed in close consultation with statutory youth interests and the voluntary youth organisations and services that work with young people. A comprehensive consultation with youth stakeholders and young people on the priorities for the strategy has recently concluded and my Department anticipates that the new National Youth Strategy will be completed by early Summer.
