Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
448. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which he continues to liaise with Kildare Youth Services in order to ensure the adequacy of funding and resources to meet its requirements with regard to its respective programmes throughout the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14913/15]
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. In 2015, funding of €49.9m 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 has notified youth organisations and projects, including Kildare Youth Service, of their 2015 allocations in respect of their youth services. An allocation of €488,200 has been allocated for the projects and services under Kildare Youth Services, which operates under Youth Work Ireland.
As in recent years, national organisations along with the grant administering agencies that administer youth funding, on behalf of my Department, were invited where it was appropriate, to submit proposals to my Department for the reconfiguration of the funding allocations notified to them across projects and funding schemes to better meet local needs. No submission was received in respect of proposals for the youth services in County Kildare.
I am aware of the challenges that the budgetary constraints raise for the youth services throughout the country. Last year, officials of my Department met Kildare Youth Services and have visited their office in Naas to hear about their work and their proposals, for the provision of services in County Kildare. My Department provides funding to Kildare Youth Services under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme in respect of six local youth projects in Athy, Naas, Leixlip, Newbridge, the Curragh and Kildare town and a Youth Information Centre in Naas. In addition, Kildare Youth Hub, Kildare Town has received approval under the 2013 Capital Scheme for the development of a new youth café facility. Officials of my Department continue to be available to meet with youth services to discuss any issues that arise for them in the provision of local services within the budgets available.
