Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has considered the report by Indecon for the National Youth Council of Ireland on the Economic Assessment of the Value of Youth Work; if she will ensure that the findings are taken into account in the 2013 budgetary allocations to the youth sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53943/12]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has discussed the findings of the National Youth Council of Ireland Economic Assessment of the Value of Youth Work report with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the context of the 2013 budgetary allocations to the youth sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53944/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 542 together.

I welcome the recent publication of the Economic Assessment of the Value of Youth Work carried out by Indecon on behalf of the National Youth Council of Ireland. The report illustrates the breadth, depth and value of the youth work sector in Ireland. It indicates that the youth work sector received in excess of €79 million in State support in 2011 for a range of youth programmes including programmes supported by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health. The report highlights the contribution of volunteers in the youth work sector.

In 2012, funding of €56.806m has been provided by my Department to support the delivery of youth services and programmes through the different schemes which include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund, Youth Information Centres, the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, the Local Drugs Force Task Scheme and certain other programmes including Gaisce- the President’s Award.

These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision and involve 1,400 paid staff and some 40,000 volunteers in 477 youth projects around the country. The National Youth Council’s report provides a comprehensive assessment of the value and contribution of youth work to the economy, to young people themselves and to the social fabric of Irish society. Its publication is timely and the finding have been brought to the attention of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

My Department is working on the determination of the funding allocations for 2013 for youth services and organisations. Having regard to the substantial savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department is seeking to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding. Furthermore, every effort is being made to ensure that the funding for local volunteer-led youth provision continues to be supported for youth clubs and groups which offer quality youth activities for some 100,000 young people throughout the country.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the proposal in the submission by her Department to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in November 2011 to impose cuts of 10% in 2013 in the following funding schemes, special projects for youth, young people’s and facilities fund round 1 and 2, youth service grant, local drugs task force projects and the youth information centres which on top of cuts of over 20% to date will severely impact the capacity of the sector to meet the needs of young persons, especially the most disadvantaged; if she will give a commitment to protect these funding lines from cuts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53945/12]

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. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects.

Funding of €56.806m has been provided to my Department to support the provision of youth services in 2012. Some 477 projects and youth services throughout the country receive support under the schemes. There are 1,400 paid staff and some 40,000 volunteers in local communities involved in the provision of these services and activities for young people.

My Department is working on the funding allocation for youth services in 2013. Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department is seeking to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as is possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding. Youth Organisations and Projects will be advised of their 2013 allocations as soon as possible.