Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 604: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she supports the Big Brother Big Sister mentoring programme for children in the community organised by Foróige. [22119/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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1The 2011 budget for the Youth Affairs Section 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 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). As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I am aware of the Big Brother Big Sister Programme. 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 application for funding will be considered next year.