Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of special projects for youth funded by her Department in County Louth; the location and number of such staff funded by her Department; if these staff and funding are of a temporary nature; her plans to increase such funding in County Louth and in particular in Drogheda, Dundalk and Ardee towns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13511/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are three (3) special projects for youth in County Louth currently in receipt of ongoing grant in aid funding under my Department's Special Projects for Youth Scheme. Details of these projects are outlined here in tabular form.

In 2005, Coxes Demesne Youth Project was up-graded to two workers and in 2006 the Craobh Rua Youth Project was also up-graded as recommended in the National Youth Work Development Plan 2003-2007.

The Youth Affairs Section of my Department has received two (2) applications for funding in the 2007 round of grants under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme on behalf of the Ferdia Park Project, Ardee and the Northside Community Youth Project, Drogheda. Funding allocations for 2007 are currently being examined and theserequests will be considered in light of available financial resources, existing commitments in the youth sector and other applications. My Department's objective is to finalise decisions on such applications before the end of spring.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the counties that are not in receipt of any youth information grant; the reason County Louth has not received a youth information grant to date; the proposals she has to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13512/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Youth Affairs Section of my Department provides grant-in-aid assistance to support the operation of 32 Youth Information Centres throughout the country whose purpose is to provide young people with information on a wide range of issues in a suitably conducive atmosphere.

There are no Youth Information Centres in Counties Leitrim, Longford, Cavan, Meath, Louth, Offaly, Laois and Carlow. Applications were received for funding for a Youth Information Centre in County Louth but it has not been possible to provide funding for this centre because of finite financial resources and in light of other commitments to the youth work sector.

A consultant's review has recently been completed for my Department which will help inform the future direction of youth information provision. Future funding applications for proposed new centres will be examined having regard to the outcomes of this review process. I would like assure the Deputy of my commitment to continued support of the youth sector in Ireland and its work.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 424: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will publish the Youth Information Grant Review carried out by her Department, and the funding review that has been carried out under the National Youth Work Development Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13513/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Two reviews, viz. a Review of Youth Information Provision and a Review of Funding for the Youth Work Sector have recently been completed by external consultants on behalf of my Department.

With regard to the Youth Information review, the youth information steering group (a sub-committee of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee (NYWAC)) are at present reviewing the final document to ensure that the terms of reference have been appropriately dealt with by the consultants. It is expected that the NYWAC will then consider the contents of the report, which together with the views of NYWAC, will be presented to me for my consideration.

A similar process is underway in respect of the Funding Review report, which is at present being considered by the relevant NYWAC steering group. Following due consideration of all aspects of these reports and the views expressed by the NYWAC, decisions in relation to the next stages with regard to these reviews will then be made.