Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 627: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding options open to a facility (details supplied); her position on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10614/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland now has a nationwide network of successful youth cafés which are mainly volunteer led although support and expertise from the youth sector can often be a key component in the initial stages of development. The volunteer aspect is however an essential component if facilities are to be viable and sustainable in the medium to long term. In addition, involving young people in the management and running of Youth Cafés in partnership with adults is core to the on-going long term sustainability success of a youth café. My Department is encouraging and supporting this approach through its interaction with youth organisations at national level, with Vocational Education Committees at regional level and with youth services at local level.

The capital funding options provided by my Department to date for youth cafés have been utilised for the refurbishment, redecoration, fitting out or adaptation of buildings as well as providing for the purchase of necessary equipment. I anticipate that any future youth café funding initiatives will also primarily be for capital based expenditure and will not extend to supporting staff costs to operate these cafés.