Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that any reductions in funding from the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to youth organisations working in Offaly and Laois may lead to the closure of youth projects and youth initiatives which are working to address the needs of young people who are disadvantaged due to a combination of factors such as social isolation, substance misuse, homelessness, early school leaving and unemployment; if she will give a commitment to protecting these initiatives and projects from cutbacks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10978/09]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the work of hundreds of volunteers in youth organisations, which will be undermined if there is a cutback in the funding to voluntary youth organisations in Offaly and Laois by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs; if she will give a commitment to protect funding for youth organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10979/09]

Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will commit to minimising the impact of the cuts from the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to the youth service budget on young people and youth services in Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11052/09]

Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that significant reductions in funding from the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to youth organisations working in Wexford and in particular in towns such as Wexford, Gorey, New Ross and Enniscorthy may lead to the closure of youth projects and youth initiatives which are working to address the needs of young people who are disadvantaged due to a combination of factors such as social isolation, substance misuse, homelessness, early school leaving and unemployment; if she will give a commitment to protecting these initiatives and projects from cutbacks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11053/09]

Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the work of hundreds of volunteers in youth organisations will be undermined if there is a significant cutback in the funding to voluntary youth organisations in Wexford by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs; if she will give a commitment to protect funding for youth organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11054/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 243, 244 and 253 to 255, inclusive, together.

As the Deputies are aware, the youth sector has received considerable financial support over the past number of years. Funding expanded from €35.5m in 2004 to €52m in 2008. While this funding has allowed for some expansion in the sector including the roll out of a number of sections of the Youth Work Act, 2001 and actions cited in the National Youth Work Development Plan, there has been a growing emphasis on consolidation of services.

It is intended that the 2009 Youth Affairs budget of over €48m will continue to focus on supporting existing youth programmes and services for young people including those with fewer opportunities. I have met with the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), which represents some 50 youth organisations, and am aware of the valuable work carried out by the youth work sector, including its strong volunteer base, both in the particular areas referred to by the Deputies as well as across the country. I wish to assure the Deputies that every effort will be made to minimise the impact of the reduction in funding available to the youth sector and to preserve and maintain existing provision in so far as is possible.