Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update in respect of funding for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14930/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes and programmes to the youth sector. The aim of these programmes is to support and promote non-formal education and developmental opportunities for young people to enhance their personal and social skills and competencies. Particular regard is had to the youth work needs of young people between the ages of 10 and 21, and to those who are socially or economically disadvantaged.

Funding of some €53.173m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. 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. These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision and involve approximately 1,400 paid staff and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.

The Youth Affairs Unit does not provide any funding to the school referred to by the Deputy. In light of budgetary constraints, the focus in 2013 is on consolidating and maintaining, insofar as possible, the level of existing programmes and services for young people. In this context, Youth Affairs Unit is not in a position to consider any additional applications for funding in 2013.