Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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9. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the value for money and policy review of youth schemes, including the young people's facilities and services fund, will be published; if this will be followed by consultations with stakeholders; and if he will provide a date for a meeting of the national assessment committee. [43932/14]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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A value for money and policy review was carried out on the young people's facilities and services fund. Those involved with young people are wondering when it will be published and if there will be consultation with stakeholders. Allied with that is the national assessment committee, which has not met in quite some time. Again, those involved with young people are anxious to have that monitoring committee meet again.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The value for money and policy review of the youth programmes that target young people at risk of disadvantage, including the young people's facilities and services fund, has been finalised. The review recommends changes to youth funding programmes to ensure evidence-based, effective, value-for-money services that secure the best outcomes for young people, particularly vulnerable young people. I intend that all stakeholders providing services for young people will have the opportunity to discuss the review's findings and recommendations. My Department has developed a detailed consultation plan, which will be launched before Christmas. I have met with leaders in the area to assure them that they will have a meaningful consultation on the implementation of the findings of the report.

Consultation with stakeholders will take place in the context of the national youth strategy being developed by my Department. The strategy will have a particular focus on young people who are vulnerable and need additional supports. The intention is to work collaboratively with youth service interests, including national youth organisations and education and training board youth officers, to see how the review's recommendations will be implemented over the next two years in the context of the national youth strategy. The National Youth Council of Ireland, the City of Dublin Youth Service Board and the community and voluntary representatives who have served on the national assessment committee will have an important role in this process.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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I have a particular interest in the young people's facilities and services fund. When it was originally established in the late 1990s, I chaired the development group for the north inner city, and I was very aware of the extent of the consultation that went on at that stage. The fund has done great work and targets areas in which young people are most at risk from drugs. While every community, town and village is at risk from drugs, there are some areas that are particularly vulnerable. I represent some of them. The fund addressed these issues, but it has gone off the boil recently. It is important to bring an impetus back to this. Just this week, two young people died in the inner city from a new drug called ice. That is the reality of what is happening on the ground. It is important to keep an eye on whom the fund targets. While it is good that the review will come before Christmas and that the consultation process will begin quickly, I ask that the Minister listen to the front-line workers who are working with young people in those areas.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Department is absolutely committed to the consultation process. The Deputy mentioned the monitoring group, and we will certainly look to see when that will meet again. I inform the House that arrangements are being made by my Department to publish the value-for-money review in the coming weeks and to convene a meeting of the national assessment committee promptly thereafter.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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I hope the key word is "promptly". I asked a question of the Deputy's predecessor about when the national assessment committee would be meeting. It was almost as if it was not considered necessary because the funding had been set up. However, the committee keeps an eye on what the report is doing, which is ensuring that the funding, services and facilities go to those who are most at risk. It is also ensuring that there is value for money and an evidence-based approach. It is very important that the national assessment committee, to which the Minister is committed, meets more regularly. It is quite some time since it has met. In the meantime, services and facilities have continued to be provided, and the committee wants to meet to ensure they are going to the most at-risk areas.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for her comments. I agree that the national assessment committee should meet on a regular basis. I have made the point in reply to earlier questions that we are very concerned across Government, as I am in my own Department, that our policies are evidence-based and that the money we spend delivers the outcomes we desire - that is, better outcomes for children. There have been various reports across different agencies which suggest that things could be done differently and more effectively, and we must address those issues. Some of them may be real and some imagined, but unless we have hard, objective evidence we cannot make those calls. In fairness to everyone working in the sector, they all want to improve outcomes for young people. As I said in reply to the first question, I express my gratitude and that of the Government and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs for the fantastic volunteerism in the sector.