Written answers

Tuesday, 7 April 2009

Department of Health and Children

Youth Services

11:00 pm

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when final decisions will be made on the operation of the programme for the funding of youth cafes in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14167/09]

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Final decisions on the operation in 2009 of the structured programme of youth cafes in are still under consideration. At this stage, the focus of my Office is to bring greater coherence to the approach taken to date, retaining the strong inter-agency element and identifying appropriate models for the future development of youth cafés. Since September 2007 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. Following that survey the National Children's Advisory Council (NCAC) was requested to advise on the development of a youth café model. Research was carried out by the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) and a draft report has been forwarded to me for my consideration. This work will ensure that funding is targeted and co-ordinated most effectively on a model or models of youth cafés which meet the needs of young people themselves. It will also ensure that any funding that may be available will augment without displacing existing inter-agency resources. The NUIG has also been requested to prepare a toolkit and guide to support groups setting up youth cafés. This will be a "how to" guide which will deal with issues such as guiding principles, practical operational matters and provide advice and tips on the day to day management and ongoing development of a café as well as setting up cafes. A draft of the 'toolkit' is currently being finalised. I intend to launch the NUI Galway Youth Café report and the toolkit along with the announcement on the advancing the youth café programme in the near future.

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