Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 168: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has plans to provide increased funds for youth services; if her attention has been drawn to the importance of the work being done in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24383/04]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The funding for the youth affairs section of my Department for 2004 is €28.624 million which is an increase of 5.5% over the 2003 allocation of €27.123 million. This allocation includes an amount of €500,000 which has been made available in 2004 towards the implementation of the national youth work development plan. Funding for the youth work sector has increased by approximately 60% since 1998 which is evidence of this Government's commitment to the sector.

I am conscious of the valuable work being carried out in the youth work sector. I assure the Deputy of my support for the sector and that it is my intention to make every effort to secure additional funding for youth work services in the future.