Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 799: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding she has made available for the provision of youth cafes in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the amount of funding that will be allocated for this purpose in 2012; if a strategy for the roll-out of these facilities is in place; the number of such facilities currently in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1074/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In 2010, funding of €1.5m was allocated from the Dormant Accounts Fund for a measure to improve Youth Café facilities in Ireland. This was the first funding programme specifically targeted at youth cafés. Some 64 projects were approved for funding under two strands i.e. small-scale funding for existing youth cafés and the establishment of new youth café facilities. As a result of this scheme, a total of 16 brand new cafés are gradually coming on stream. In addition, a further €200,000 capital funding was made available late in 2011 to 18 youth projects, thus enabling existing them to upgrade existing premises and/or purchase additional equipment in order to provide a safe, supporting and enabling meeting space for young people.

My Department estimates that between 75-100 youth café facilities now operate across the State and these facilities are proving hugely beneficial to local communities in terms of broader engagement with young people. In addition, my Department supports a range of youth services and volunteer-led youth groups which offer similar resources and spaces for young people locally.

To support my Department's commitment to the development of quality, front-line youth projects and services which address the changing needs of young people and their communities, I have ensured that as part of the Government's Capital Review published in November 2011, capital funding available for youth projects will increase to an annual amount of €1.5m in 2012 and again in 2013. My Department is currently developing a strategy for the implementation and administration of this measure so as to ensure impact, resource effectiveness and value for money.