Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 May 2017
22. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if consideration will be given to a request for funding for a youth project (details supplied) in view of the growing demand for a range of services provided by this organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22319/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent weeks I was delighted to approve funding of €800,000 for the establishment of new youth projects and the augmentation of a small number of existing youth services to meet new challenges arising from population increases. This additional investment will be provided in regions of the country where there is a pressing need for services to meet the needs of young people.
The network of sixteen Education and Training Boards, including Cavan and Monaghan ETB, has been invited to nominate locations within their catchment areas for the establishment of new services and to nominate a project or service to be considered for augmentation. The closing date for nominations was yesterday, 10th May. I hope to announce details of the successful areas and projects in the coming months following a comprehensive assessment process of the applications.
A number of funding schemes supporting youth services, including the "Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund", were the subject of a Value for Money and Policy Review in 2014. The review made a number of recommendations for the future operation of the youth schemes and their development in the years ahead. Work on the development of a new funding scheme has been prioritised by my Department and consultations with youth services are continuing with a view to introducing the new youth funding programme in line with the review. The new services being established in 2017 will be in line with recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review.
Future funding decisions will also be informed by a recent mapping exercise which has provided a detailed social demographic profile, in terms of population number and deprivation levels, with existing youth service provision mapped onto the data.
