James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this very important matter. A good chunk of the Dormant Accounts Fund will go into youth justice this year to help alleviate similar issues. The criteria for this fund are fairly broad and I encourage organisations to apply. The main reason that a project would not qualify for funding is if funding could be obtained from another Department or an organisation is already receiving funding for a similar project. Otherwise the scheme is fairly broad. The amount of funding is expected to increase over the years. The first year of the fund will really be about evaluating the projects. What will be important in this evaluation will be to see and assess whether the communities that most need the funding are getting it. This evaluation will happen at the end of the year once the funding goes out. It will be an important part of the evaluation. The Deputy is correct that the funding is not directed at particular areas but it will be a very important element. We will be very conscious when the funding goes out that it goes to areas that most need the support.

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