Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the work that has been done on the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund since its establishment in 1997. When it was established, I chaired the north inner city development group, which I still do, and I know the difference the fund has been making to facilities, employment and programmes. Amazing work is being done by many projects throughout the city. The fund grew out of the particular circumstances relating to drugs at the time. Drug dealers targeted particularly vulnerable groups and a ready-made population of disadvantaged people, including early school-leavers and the unemployed.

When the fund was established I, as chair of the development group in the north inner city, had to attend with the representatives of Dublin City Council and the City of Dublin Youth Service Board frequent meetings with the national assessment committee to account for our recommendations and funding. Funding was particularly geared towards those who were most at risk. While one might say that everyone is at risk, there are communities which are more at risk than others. We had to account for that and assure the assessment committee that the funding was going where it was most needed. The committee had a very important monitoring role. One of the Minister's replies to the committee has been to the effect that there is no need for it to meet as no further funding is coming. However, the committee has a very important monitoring role. I ask the Minister to agree to call a meeting of the committee to do its monitoring work.

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