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

I recognise the value of youth work and am very pleased we have been able to maintain 95% of funding that youth services receive. It is important Deputy Boyd Barred does not exaggerate what is happening. The majority of front-line youth work services have been protected and will continue to be available to young people. The Deputy referred to various areas in Dublin. For example, the Cherry Orchard youth service, which received €297,488 in funding, has been asked to make a 2% saving. St. Michael’s youth project in Inchicore, which received €290,000, has also been asked to make a 2% saving.

In a scenario where we are borrowing €1 billion per month, my Department is not exempt from having to make some savings. When the Dublin youth services board examined expenditure in this area, it insisted that front-line services would not be affected. I would prefer if the economic situation were different and I certainly look forward to the time we can invest even more in youth services. I view them as early intervention for the most vulnerable young people in our society. I also recognise the importance of the Garda youth diversion project which does excellent work with some of the young people the Deputy spoke about.

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