Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to a project (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and the funding from his Department it receives. [17784/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to a project (details supplied) in Dublin 8; the funding from his Department it receives; if his further attention has been drawn to an application for funding for an additional youth worker; the reason no decision has been taken on that application to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17783/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 448 together.

The project referred to by the Deputy receives annual grant-in-aid funding from my Department under two initiatives, namely the Special Projects for Youth Scheme (SPY) and the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF). The total amount allocated in 2007 under these schemes was €200,221.

The Youth Affairs Section of my Department received a request for an additional worker in 2008 under both of these schemes.

The process of determining my Department's financial allocations to the Youth Work Sector for 2008 is still underway. I expect that this process will be completed shortly and all Administering Agencies, in this instance City of Dublin VEC/City of Dublin Youth Service Board will then be notified of the outcome as appropriate.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 384: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the grants administered or funded by his Department in the area of youth cafés, summer schemes, youth at risk, early school leavers and after-school clubs in the Dublin 8 area; and the level of funding including capital and staffing grants to the various projects in 2007. [17785/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the grants administered or funded by his Department in the area of youth projects, youth cafés, summer schemes, youth at risk, early school leavers and after-school clubs in the Dublin 8 area; and the level of funding including capital and staffing grants to the various projects in 2007. [17786/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 449 together.

The Youth Affairs Section of my Department supports a number of schemes and initiatives which provide non-formal educational opportunities for young people throughout the country through voluntary participation in youth work. This support consists mainly of grant-in-aid assistance for national and major regional youth work organisations under the Youth Service Grant Scheme, targeted youth work responses for young people through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme and the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund which targets young people at risk from substance misuse. Grant-in-aid funding is made available as a contribution towards the general running expenses, including staffing costs, of projects. My Department does not operate a capital funding programme in respect of the youth work sector.

A number of youth projects funded under these schemes are located in the Dublin 8 area. Details of the projects and schemes are outlined hereunder:

Special Projects for Youth Scheme

There are four (4) projects in receipt of funding under this scheme located in the Dublin 8 area.

Young People's Facilities and Services Fund

There are six (6) projects in receipt of funding under this scheme located in the Dublin 8 area.

The City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB) also administers grant-in-aid funding for the support of youth clubs and groups throughout Dublin city. Some 21 youth clubs received funding amounting to €39,665 in 2006 (latest figures available).

School Completion Programme

Preventative measures are in place such as the School Completion Programme with €31.160 million allocated to the School Completion Programme for 2008.

School Completion Programme (SCP) is based on a set of key principles, with a strong emphasis being placed on partnership between schools, family members and local statutory, community and voluntary agencies and on the concept of integrated services. Effective support requires a cross-community and cross sectoral response to young people's needs, with support being provided on a continuous basis both during, and outside of, school time. The programme is funded on a multi-annual basis under the National Development Plan (NDP), and up to 2007 with assistance from the European Social Fund (ESF).

Over €580,000 has been allocated for 2007/08 to projects in the Dublin 8 area where supports are offered in-school, after-school, out-of-school and during holiday time in recognition of the fact that continuous support must be given to young people at risk of early school leaving. After-school activities are delivered as part of the School Completion Programme and homework clubs in particular are a widely implemented support to provide students with a structured environment to complete homework. After-School Supports provided under the School Completion Programme focus on the personal and social development of young people, aiming to enrich their overall educational experience by providing fun activities that tap into the many talents of young people. Programmes that focus on activities like Drama, Music, Art, Craftwork and Sport enable children to develop a range of creative and sporting skills.

Holiday Time Supports are delivered during holiday time, for example, mid-term break, Easter and Summer holidays. Holiday time supports are provided to young people at risk of early school leaving in order to provide a consistent educational experience for them all year round. Holiday supports are often delivered in conjunction with other external agencies, particularly youth services.