John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 105: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether funding is now essential for the European Youth Parliament; if such funding will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18228/04]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government attaches great importance to promoting wider public awareness and understanding about the EU, particularly amongst young people, and is aware of the role played by the European Youth Parliament in this regard, in Ireland and in other countries where it is established. Government funding for EU information initiatives undertaken by NGOs in Ireland is provided through the communicating Europe initiative. The communicating Europe initiative group, administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, brings together representatives of the Departments of the Taoiseach and Education and Science, the European Movement Ireland, the Institute for European Affairs and representatives of the European Commission and European Parliament Offices in Ireland. It invites organisations to apply for funding to implement EU information initiatives. Under this scheme, the communicating Europe initiative provides funding and support to selected groups and organisations to develop and implement projects aimed at promoting awareness and public discussion about the EU through various initiatives, events and communications media.

Last year the European Youth Parliament applied for communicating Europe initiative funding for an international session of the parliament which took place in Dublin in July 2003. However, bearing in mind that the European Youth Parliament received grant funding for the session from the European Commission and that conference facilities were also provided to European Youth Parliament in Dublin Castle free of charge, as well as the wide range of other projects submitted, the communicating Europe initiative group decided not to allocate funding to this event.

The European Youth Parliament also applied to the communicating Europe initiative in March 2004 for funding for an event which took place in April. The communicating Europe initiative group will meet in July to review all project proposals recently submitted by groups and organisations, including applications for retrospective funding. The communicating Europe initiative group continues to encourage and welcome proposals and applications from all groups and organisations for EU information projects. The group looks forward to working together with groups and organisations over the coming year to develop and implement initiatives aimed at promoting wider public awareness and discussion about the EU and how it impacts on our lives.