Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2017
605. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she and bodies or groups under her aegis have received or are scheduled to receive supportive funding from her Department, with specific reference to youth organisations, bodies dealing with children at risk or others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50557/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall budget for the Youth Sector in 2017 is €57.4 million in current expenditure, this funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth work sector.
The following are the main services and projects currently supported through grant aid:
|
Services and Projects |
Amount Allocated |
|
Youth Service Grant Scheme - currently funding 30 national and major regional voluntary organisations. The continued funding of voluntary youth organisations through the Scheme is intended to ensure the emergence, promotion, growth and development of youth organisations with distinctive philosophies and programmes aimed at the social education of young people. |
€10.65m allocated in 2017 |
|
Special Projects for Youth - grant-aid is made available in respect of out-of-school projects for disadvantaged young people. Priority is given to projects in the spheres of special youth work initiatives, young homeless people, young people at risk of substance abuse and young travellers. |
€14.7m allocated in 2017 (171 Projects) |
|
Young Peoples Facilities and Services Funds Rounds 1 & 2 – this fund was established by the Government in 1998 to assist in the development of preventative strategies in a targeted manner through the development of youth facilities, including sports and recreational facilities, and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. |
83 mainstreamed projects (Round 1) 140 current projects (Round 2) €18.85m allocated in 2017 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme - supports youth work activities at a local level. These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through local ETBs. |
1,400 youth groups/clubs eligible €1.17m allocated in 2017 |
|
Youth Information Centres - This programme funds 20 Youth Information Centres. The purpose of these Centres is to provide young people with access to information on rights, opportunities, benefits, health, welfare and other matters. |
€1.28m allocated in 2017 |
|
Local Drug Task Force Projects - Responsibility for 21 youth related projects transferred to the Department in 2011. These projects, targeting young people under the various pillars of the National Drugs Strategy, provide a range of supports for young people by way of targeted drug prevention and awareness programmes as well as referrals. |
€1.18m allocated in 2017 |
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, which deals with children at risk will receive a 5.7% increase of €40.6m for 2018, higher than the €37m increase provided in 2017. The extra funding will be used to progress a number of key priorities including the introduction of mandatory reporting under Children First, addressing gaps in out of hours services and further investing in Family Resource Centres that deliver services to families in disadvantaged areas across the country. The additional investment will allow Tusla to recruit over 300 staff to respond to areas of identified risk and to meet increased demand for services. This includes resources for responding to expected increases in referrals following the introduction of mandatory reporting; management of unallocated cases and developing aftercare services. It will also allow for improvements in Tusla’s ICT systems and overall organisational structures, including governance.
