Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the funding request by a group (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36871/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I recently met with a deputation from the group in question. The group briefed me on their work and financial support needs, all of which I have noted. The 2009 budget allocation of the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department is over €48m, a decrease of some 8% on the 2008 figure. I explained to the group that in light of budgetary constraints it is intended that the 2009 Youth Affairs budget will continue to focus on supporting existing programmes and services for young people including those with fewer opportunities. In that context, the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department is not in a position to consider any new applications for admission to its schemes in the current year.