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

I suppose that if the Deputy asked any Minister in this House about the budgetary situation over the past few years, he or she would have to agree there has been an impact because of the overall financial situation we face. We are prioritising managing the public finances, improving our rates of growth and dealing with unemployment because that is what will make a difference in the overall context.

Of course, there has been some impact on youth services, where there have been reductions. However, to take the Deputy's own area as an example, in 2013 some €2,175,079 has been invested in services, ranging from the East Wall-North Port Youth Development Group, which is getting €115,000; Bradóg, which is getting €402,000; the Stoneybatter group, which is getting €381,000; the adventure sports project, which is getting €129,000; and Cappagh for Youth, which is getting €103,000 - all amounting, as I said, to over €2 million.

I take the point that if there is any cutback at all in those services, there is an impact. However, we are trying to protect the front line. In the forthcoming budget, I will certainly be doing everything to ensure youth services are protected because I recognise, as the Deputy said, the contribution made by youth work, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Youth workers are doing a wonderful job and there are superb initiatives all over the country. I would like to support them as much as possible but it is dependent on the overall budgetary situation.

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