Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she expects to put in place the necessary staff to provide adequate children and youth support services outside of school hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47108/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In the area of youth, my Department has a specific role in providing youth facilities and in supporting and promoting non-formal education and developmental opportunities for young people in out-of-school settings through which they can enhance their personal and social skills and competencies. Particular regard is had to the needs of young people between the ages of 10 and 21, and to those who are socially or economically disadvantaged including early school-leavers, homeless youth and those who are unemployed or at risk of substance misuse.

In particular, the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides 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 Local Drugs Task Force Projects. Universal supports are also made available to all young people via the Youth Service Grant Scheme, Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres, European Youth in Action Programme (administered by Léargas – The Exchange Bureau) and Gaisce – the President’s Award. These measures are providing positive developmental opportunities for young people, enhancing their personal and social competencies, increasing social inclusion and social integration and improving school attendance and engagement in the formal education process. Funding of some €56.806m for current expenditure is available from my Department in 2012 to support the provision of youth services and programmes.

Some 1,400 staff employed under these schemes are funded by my Department in addition to 24.5 (WTE) Youth Officer posts in VECs throughout the country. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am committed to the development of a new youth policy framework which my Department is currently progressing. One of my key aims for youth policy development will be to ensure optimum use of all the financial and human resources available. Accordingly, the development of my Department’s policy in relation to young people will focus specifically on ensuring greater coherence, coordination and impact in youth policy and provision across Departments and services so as to ensure quality outcomes for all.