Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 109: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason the small grants fund has been suspended for 2009; if she will review this decision and ensure that local groups can access funding for small projects to help disadvantaged and vulnerable people in local communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23996/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF) now under the remit of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) currently operates in 18 areas - 14 Local Drug Task Force areas, (12 in Dublin, Bray and Cork) and in Galway, Limerick and Carlow town.

The decision not to provide small grants from the YPFSF in 2009 was made following the agreement of the National Assessment Committee (NAC) which oversees the implementation of the fund. The NAC is chaired by the OMCYA and has representation from relevant Government Departments (i.e. Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs including the general functions of the National Drugs Strategy Team) and Agencies, the Youth Services and the voluntary and community sectors.

I am aware of the success of the small grants fund and of its benefits to local and voluntary community groups. However, in light of the current fiscal climate and in an effort to preserve service provision and to allow for the expansion of the YPFSF to four new towns of Arklow, Athlone, Dundalk and Wexford the NAC agreed earlier this year that the small grants should not be provided in 2009.

I understand that the NAC, following the allocation of all 2009 funding, has now decided that there is scope to re-instate a reduced small grants fund for 2009. My officials have notified the 15 development groups previously in receipt of this grant that they will now be allocated €10,000 each for 2009.

The Deputy should note that the availability of the small grants fund in 2010 will be reviewed later in the year.