Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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237. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding supports that are available for a project (details supplied) in County Kildare, a project traditionally funded to provide two dedicated professional youth workers to support the needs of young persons who are at risk; if the group will be considered in view of forthcoming considerations in respect of the upcoming budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31370/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In 2013, my Department will provide some €53.498m to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. This funding will support youth work programmes and services serving some 400,000 young people, delivered by over 1,400 youth work personnel, who in turn support a large volunteer base of some 40,000

The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department funds the project referred to by the Deputy under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme and the allocation provided by my Department in 2013 is €89,625.

Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure which amount to €5.393m in 2013, and will amount to €2.976m in 2014, my Department has tried 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.

There is no doubt that the current budgetary situation is challenging for many organisations. In considering how best to manage within the allocations available organisations are being asked to consider the scope for reducing administration costs and other overheads and to work closely with their local VEC that administers the funding on behalf of my Department, in order to maintain the front line services for young people particularly for those young people who may be disadvantaged.

With respect to future funding provision, a Comprehensive Value for Money Review of youth funding has been commenced and this report is expected later this year.

My Department is developing a new youth policy framework for publication later this year. The new youth policy framework will aim to enhance the provision of youth services and activities and it will, inter alia, promote co-ordination between government departments and youth sector organisations with a view to maximising the effectiveness of the State funding available to support services for young people in future years.