Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is welcome that the level of funding has been maintained this year. This comes on the back of a disproportionate cut under the subhead in recent years. That said, it is welcome that the funding is being maintained. Is it through these funds that the money is made available to the various education and training boards, formerly the VECs, which administer funding to various youth groups throughout the country? Each group must submit an annual plan. Last year it was well into 2014 when the groups were advised of their reduced allocations. This made it very hard for them to plan for the year ahead. When will they be advised of their allocations for 2015?