David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 276 of 8 July 2010, the number of special projects for youth currently funded by her Department; the amount of the €19.5 million allocation which has been spent to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41908/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Children and Youth Services Development Unit (CYSDU) of my Office supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people including those from disadvantaged communities through grants in aid, which are part-funded by the National Lottery. The Special Projects for Youth Scheme (SPY) is one such initiative supported, and funding of €19.5million has been allocated to this Scheme in 2010 through resources made available under Subhead G of Vote 41, which is part funded by the National Lottery.

There are currently one hundred and eighty one (181) projects in receipt of funding under this scheme. Some €17.8 million has been spent to date and the CYSDU is currently in the process of making final payments to the remaining Organisations/VECs/Projects. The balance of €1.7 million will be expended in 2010. Special Projects for Youth - under this Scheme, grant-in-aid is made available to organisations and groups for specific projects which seek to address the needs of young people who are disadvantaged due to a combination of factors e.g., social isolation, substance misuse, homelessness, early school leaving and unemployment. Projects facilitate the personal and social development of participants thus enabling them to realise their potential. This aim underpins all programmes and activities of the Scheme. In addition, they present opportunities for young people to undertake actions corresponding to their own aspirations and to assume responsibilities within their local communities.

Services are delivered by a combination of local youth organisations and local community groups. In general, these youth work initiatives entail consultation with the local community, the involvement of members of the local community in the management structure of the project, and liaison with other voluntary and statutory agencies operating in the youth service sphere.