Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 551: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of money that has been allocated to the running of Gaisce - the President's Award in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the amount that will be allocated for 2012; if there have been cuts in the allocation of funding to the programme; and if these cuts will have an impact on the ability of young persons in the North to participate in the Gaisce programme. [34695/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department contributes towards the running costs of Gaisce -The Presidents Award. The funding allocated for 2007 - 2011 is set out in the following table:

In determining allocations to initiatives and schemes in previous years my Department has made every effort to minimise the impact of the reduction in the Youth Affairs budget on front line youth work services. In light of continuing budgetary constraints, the Youth Affairs budget in 2012 will again require careful management with a focus on prioritising existing youth service provision. Every effort will be made to notify all organisations of their 2012 allocations as speedily as possible.

While the question of the geographical spread of young persons participating in the Gaisce programme is the responsibility of Gaisce, all organisations supported by my Department are encouraged to maximise the access, reach and impact of all their programmes and services for young people.