Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Clearly, I prioritised youth services this year and I have got extra funding for them. I would point out that we are borrowing €8 billion this year. Had we not inherited the disastrous economic financial situation we would not have to make these cuts. In the current circumstances we have had to make the cuts to which the Deputy referred. I have protected the youth services this year and I intend to continue to do so. As the economic situation improves and the public finances get in order we will not have this discussion but will talk about investing in youth services to a greater degree. Like the Deputy, I recognise the value of the youth services and want to support them. In my discussions with City of Dublin Youth Services Board, CDYSB, and the local education and training boards, making sure the youth organisations can sustain their work, has been to the fore. In the allocation of funding made at local level through the education and training boards and through the CDYSB, they are very conscious of protecting frontline services, and have been at pains to ensure those frontline services will continue, and have supported the organisations where there were some difficulties to ensure the services described by the Deputy will continue.