Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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565. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps he will take regarding the allocation of his Department's budget that cognisance would be taken of the significant reduction of 33% already borne by the allocation to young persons and youth activities in the past number of years; if he will ensure that the appropriate allocation is provided to compensate for such sharp reductions, in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41598/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 380,000 young people and involve approximately 1,400 youth work staff in 477 projects and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country. In 2014, funding of €49.78m has been provided to my Department for these schemes.

I am aware of the challenges that the budgetary constraints raise for the youth services throughout the country. I, and officials of my Department have met and will continue to meet with many youth organisations and groups to try and see how we can work together to ensure the most effective and efficient use of the resources available in order to continue to support the provision of quality and responsive youth services for young people.

I am pleased to advise that Budget 2015 has confirmed that funding of €49.78m will again be provided to my Department in 2015 to support the provision of youth services. There will be no reduction in the overall allocation for youth services in 2015 which was a key priority for youth organisations. The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department will commence work on the detailed 2015 allocations for projects and services over the coming weeks and every effort will be made to notify youth organisations and youth projects of their 2015 allocations as soon as possible.