Written answers
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Department of Health and Children
Youth Cafés
11:00 pm
James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to put in place a fund for the provision of a countrywide network of youth cafés; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26815/08]
Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The launch of the National Recreation Policy last September highlighted Government's commitment to the development of youth cafés. Since September my office has undertaken a small survey of some of the existing cafés looking at mission/objectives, management and organisation, service levels and the role of young people. My Office also sought the input of the National Children's Advisory Council on the development of a youth café model. A final draft of the work of the Council has been prepared on its behalf by the Child and Family Research Centre at NUIG and will be submitted to me shortly. This work will guide Government in ensuring that funding is targeted and co-ordinated most effectively on a model or models of youth cafés which meet the needs identified by young people themselves. Preliminary indications are that the best model will be based on an interagency framework, developed for and responsive to the needs of the young people in the particular locality. Any seed funding made available will be aimed at the development of new and existing youth cafes and will be intended to augment, without displacing, the existing inter-agency resources.
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