Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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432. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when full funding will be restored to an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12928/15]

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. My Department, along with all government departments, was required to deliver substantial savings on all funding programmes in line with the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) in the years 2012, 2013 and 2014. In determining the annual allocations for youth programmes, while having regard to the CRE, my Department sought to ensure that, as far as is possible, the focus was maintained on the front line youth services particularly those for the most vulnerable young people. In 2015, funding of €49.93m has been provided to my Department for these schemes and there has been no reduction in the overall allocation for youth services in 2015 which was a key priority for youth organisations.

Funding of €242,216 has been allocated to this project in 2015, no change from last year. I am also pleased to inform the Deputy that the project was awarded €3,393 under my Department’s 2014 Youth Capital Funding Scheme for some equipment for the project.

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.