Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there has been cutbacks in funding for statutory voluntary and community groups for the provision of summer activities for children between the ages of six and ten years old in areas of disadvantage; if so, if she will ensure that funding is re-instated as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24690/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. As with all Government departments and agencies, funding for the programmes of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has been reduced in recent years due to the general budgetary situation in which we find ourselves. In 2012 funding of some €56.806m is available to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. This includes support for a range of volunteer-led youth groups under the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme. Funding of €1.035m has been allocated to this scheme in my Department's budget for 2012.

Some 1500 of such groups receive grants under the scheme for a range of activities including summer projects and developmental activities for young people in out of school hours. The funding allocation for this scheme has not been reduced in 2012.