Averil Power (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I raise this matter because the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is currently considering proposals from the City of Dublin Youth Services Board on the funding for youth work services announced in the last budget.

I want to draw the Minister of State's attention to the devastating impact the proposed cuts will have on youth services. I would like the Government to reconsider them. The youth work services provided to young people are invaluable, particularly in disadvantaged areas. I am sure the Minister of State knows that a small investment can have a huge impact. This country spends just ¤4 per week on each young person who is served by the youth work system.

Indecon undertook an economic assessment of this sector last year. It showed that for every ¤1 the State invests in this area, it saves over ¤2 in the long term. Obviously, this investment has a positive social impact on young people who benefit from these services. The figures show that it makes economic sense to invest in youth work because it saves the State more money in the long term. It is important to remember that for every paid member of staff who works in a youth service, there are dozens of volunteers. The paid staff are needed to leverage, manage and train the volunteers, particularly following the recent move towards greater professionalisation in this sector. Staff are trained to ensure they deliver a quality service. I know from the services in my local area that a significant emphasis is placed on reviewing and undertaking needs analysis of what is being provided. The whole sector has become much more professionalised over the last few years.

This sector is struggling as a result of the substantial cuts it has suffered in recent years. While groups and services initially responded as best they could by trying to rationalise and do more with less, they have had to cut hours and staff. Over the last year or two, they have increasingly had to cut programmes. As a result, some young people are not receiving the services they used to receive. In my local area, I am familiar with the services that are provided in places like Darndale, Kilbarrack, Kilmore West, Donnycarney and Coolock. I understand the impact that services like St. Monica's service in Edenmore and the Trinity service in Donaghmede can have on the confidence of young people in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the country. The needs of young people who have left school and are not in education and training are not being met by the State in its other areas of activity. Young people from disadvantaged areas who are at risk of leaving school early often do not have the self-confidence or self-esteem to take up the opportunities that are available to them. I have seen how the staff and volunteers involved in youth services and youth work have been able to boost the self-esteem and confidence of young people and get them to take up formal education, apply for jobs and have confidence in their own ability to take up opportunities.

It is shame that cuts are being imposed in this area at a time when unemployment is such a problem, particularly among young people. This country's rate of youth unemployment is shockingly high. I appreciate that cuts have to be made. I understand that the Government has to make savings somewhere. The imposition of cuts in this area is particularly short-sighted, however, given that the Indecon report and other research shows that youth services save more money in the long term. The services have not yet been told exactly how much they will lose. There has been a great deal of speculation and there is a great deal of fear. According to rumours in north Dublin, cuts of between 2% and 14% will be made. I am not sure if the Minister of State can confirm that. Such cuts, particularly at the upper end of the scale, are of concern. For many of these services, a cut of 14% would result in the loss of a member of staff. They might not be able to continue to offer a programme that currently serves young people who badly need it. I would like the Government to reconsider its approach and to find savings elsewhere. There is a social and economic case for doing so. I do not doubt that cuts of this nature would have a devastating impact on youth work services.