Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she intends to address the ongoing issues of youth affairs with particular reference to the need to provide facilities to encourage youth in a positive and meaningful way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20038/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she proposes to take any particular initiative to address the social issues affecting the young population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20039/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she proposes to address the issue of social problems arising from youth unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20041/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for the creation of positive opportunities for young persons who may be negatively affected by the economic situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20042/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 381: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to address the issues caused by early school leaving, lack of employment and social exclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20043/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 to 381, inclusive, together.

In the area of youth, my Department has a specific role in providing youth facilities and in supporting and promoting non-formal education and developmental opportunities for young people in out-of-school settings through which they can enhance their personal and social skills and competencies. Particular regard is had to the needs of young people between the ages of 10 and 21, and to those who are socially or economically disadvantaged including early school-leavers, homeless youth and those who are unemployed or at risk of substance misuse.

In 2011, my Department is making a total of €62.45m available to support the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people by the voluntary youth work sector as well as the provision of a range of sport and recreational facilities and youth cafés. Youth work programmes and services are delivered to over 1.2m participants in the various programmes by some 1,100 youth work staff and by a volunteer base of over 62,000.

In particular, the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides targeted supports to disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. Universal supports are also made available to all young people via the Youth Service Grant Scheme, Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres, European Youth in Action Programme (administered by Léargas – The Exchange Bureau) and Gaisce – the President's Award. These measures are providing positive developmental opportunities for young people, enhancing their personal and social competencies, increasing social inclusion and social integration and improving school attendance and re-engagement with the formal education process.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which it might be possible to improve, extend and support the facilities made available through organisations (details supplied) thereby identifying fundamental issues affecting young persons to an ever increasing extent arising from the current economic situation; if such facilities can be replicated throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20045/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The 2011 budget allocation for the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department is €60.154 million on current expenditure and €800,000 on capital expenditure. This capital expenditure is provided under the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund for youth facilities, including sport and recreational facilities, in 22 disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. Since the Fund was set up in 1998, over €68m has been allocated to 230 capital projects including the building, upgrading, fit-out and refurbishment of youth and community facilities.

The current funding provided by my Department supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth work sector and is allocated across all counties. Some €600,000 has been allocated to Kildare Youth Services in 2011 for six youth projects under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme. These provide a range of programmes and services which are addressing local needs of young people such as social isolation, substance misuse and early school-leaving. In addition, my Department is providing over €50,000 to Co. Kildare VEC in 2011 to support volunteer-led youth clubs in the county under the Local Youth Club Grants Scheme.