Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding being provided to Dublin City Council for youth work compared to 2011; the reason for any change in the funding in view of the important work being done in this field; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41710/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth sector. Funding of €56.806m is being provided by my Department to support the provision of youth services throughout the country in 2012. This funding covers the provision of targeted supports to disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and through Local Drugs Task Force Projects. In all some 477 youth projects throughout the country are supported under these schemes.

In 2011, €2,070,000 was allocated to a number of youth projects and programmes which are administered by Dublin City Council on behalf of my Department. This funding allocation for 2012 was €1,963,000.

The reductions in the allocation for the provision of youth services throughout the country have been necessary because of the challenging fiscal and economic situation facing the country at this time. In seeking to achieve the necessary savings in the budget, my Department has sought to protect, as far as is possible, front line youth services and to minimise the impact on youth services for the most vulnerable young people.