Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 961 of 6 November 2012, if she will detail the funding allocation for 2013 in respect of this front line youth service; the steps she is taking to safeguard the valuable work of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57681/12]

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.

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.

In this context, full consideration is being given to the project in question as part of the range of youth work services in its locality. No decisions have been made by my Department neither in relation to the 2013 funding for youth services throughout the country, nor in relation to the funding allocations to be provided for individual projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy. Youth organisations and projects will be advised of their 2013 allocations as soon as possible.