Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 453: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will give urgent and detailed consideration to the request by Foróige for funding towards the mentoring programme Big Brother Big Sisters of Ireland for 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21314/11]

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 456: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will agree to fund a programme (details supplied). [21396/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 453 and 456 together.

The 2011 budget allocation for the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department is €60.154m on current expenditure and €800,000 on capital expenditure. This funding 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.

Foróige is currently in receipt of €6.037m from Youth Affairs Unit for projects run under a number of schemes including the Youth Service Grant Scheme, Special Projects for Youth Scheme, four (4) Youth Information Centres and for a number of projects under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund (Rounds 1 and 2).

The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department is aware of the Big Brother Big Sister Programme which is run by Foróige. However, having regard to the reductions in public expenditure that must be achieved by Government Departments and State Agencies and the limited funding available, it was not possible to consider funding for the programme in 2011. In light of further budgetary constraints in 2012 it is unlikely that any new applications for funding will be considered next year.