Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding cuts to youth services. [37845/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB) has been for many years promoting, supporting and co-ordinating the development of youth projects and youth services in Dublin City and I am aware of the valuable work carried out by CDYSB in the youth work sector,

The main objectives of the Youth Affairs area are to develop and implement coherent, coordinated and relevant youth policies and strategies to support the youth sector in providing effective non-formal education and developmental opportunities for young people through which they can enhance and develop their personal and social skills and competencies. To support this work, the Youth Affairs area of my Department has a budget in 2011 of €60.154m on current expenditure and €0.8m on capital

In light of current budgetary constraints, the youth budget requires careful management with a focus on prioritising front-line services in so far as is possible. Officials from my Department have met with representatives of the youth sector including CDYSB, on an ongoing basis to ascertain the sector's views on how best to minimise the impact of budgetary constraints with a view to consolidating, in so far as is practicable, the progress made in previous years. Every effort will be made to notify the various youth work organisations and administering agencies of their 2012 allocations as speedily as possible.