Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 186: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the work of a group (details supplied) in Dublin 11, and its role in improving retention and participation rates in education; and if in view of the negative implications of the budget 2010 cuts on this project, she will identify alternative sources of funding in order that this project can continue. [14445/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides funds for over thirty projects in Local Drugs Task Force areas, including the project referred to by the Deputy.

In the context of the budget for 2010 and the difficult fiscal climate, it was decided that funding for these projects was to be reduced from €3,643,000 in 2009 to €2,461,000 in 2010 and to cease from 2011.

My Department is currently reviewing the implications of the budget decisions relating to funding allocations for all of these projects.

A key aspect of the review is to determine whether my Department is the appropriate location for these projects or whether funding could more appropriately be channelled through another Department or agency. In this regard, officials of my Department have held discussions with officials in the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to determine whether projects which involve a significant element of youth work might be more appropriate to that Office. These discussions are ongoing.

A number of the projects are being reviewed within my Department in the context of their work being similar to that of other Departmental initiatives aimed at preventing early school leaving.

I anticipate that the examination of the projects and related discussions with the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs will be completed shortly and that a report on the findings of the review will be provided to me for consideration.