Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 482: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will commit to ring-fencing, and bringing forward into next year, the grant awarded to a project (details supplied) in this financial year due to the process, involving other agencies, taking longer than anticipated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36981/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The project referred to by the Deputy is currently in receipt of funding under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme and the 2011 allocation to the project is €114,649. Funding is administered to the project by the City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB). In determining allocations to initiatives and schemes in 2011, as 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 in so far as is possible. Officials from my Department are in contact with representatives of the youth sector, including City of Dublin Youth Service Board, on an ongoing basis to ascertain the sector's views on how best to minimise the impact of these budgetary constraints. Every effort will be made to notify the various youth work organisations and administering agencies, in this instance, CDYSB, of their 2012 allocations as speedily as possible. My Department has also asked all the national youth organisations and vocational education committees to revisit their level of expenditure to determine where cost savings can be achieved.