Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

826. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress being made by his Department on the rollout of youth cafés; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31456/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In recent years capital funding has been made available to my Department to support the provision of new youth cafés. In 2013 a capital allocation of €1.55m for new youth cafés was made available by my Department. Pobal assisted my Department with the 2013 scheme. In all 95 applications were received and some 30 proposals were approved for funding. These projects are currently working with Pobal to develop their projects to the next stage.

In 2012 €.5m was allocated to the youth café scheme and some 8 proposals were approved for funding. Pobal also assisted my Department with the 2012 scheme.

Youth cafés offer young people a safe, alcohol and drug free space for recreation, non-formal learning and youth focused activities. It is estimated that between 70 and 100 youth cafes and facilities are currently operating across the country.

Youth Cafes make an important contribution to the development of services to meet the needs of young people in their local communities. The development of youth café facilities is a priority for my Department should further capital funding become available in future years.