Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which youth services are likely to play a role in the context of her responsibilities to the young population now and in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40705/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied that children and youth support services throughout the country are adequate in terms of modern requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40707/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 293 together.

My Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. These include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund and certain other provisions including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres, European Youth in Action Programme (administered by Léargas – The Exchange Bureau) and Gaisce – the President's Award.

As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am committed to placing children, young people and families at the heart of the work of my Department. In this regard, my Department supports the provision of a wide range of services and supports for children, young people and families. To further enhance this work, a new children's strategy and youth policy framework are currently being progressed by my Department; these will place outcomes for children and young people at the centre of policy and service delivery and will aim to support children and young people to an even greater extent as they progress through important life stages.

One of my key aims for policy development within my Department will be to ensure optimum use of all the financial and human resources available. Accordingly, the development of my Department's policies in relation to children and young people will focus specifically on ensuring greater coherence, coordination and impact in policy and provision so as to ensure quality outcomes for all.