Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

92. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will support the Donnycarney Community and Youth Centre, Dublin 5, for 2015 and 2016 as a matter of priority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15993/15]

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

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 2015, funding of €49.9m has been provided to my Department for these schemes. There has been no reduction in the overall allocation for youth services in 2015 which was a key priority for youth organisations. My Department has notified youth organisations and projects, including Donnycarney Community and Youth Centre, of their 2015 allocations in respect of their youth services. An allocation of €150,407 has been allocated to this project for 2015, unchanged from the previous year.

As in recent years, grant administering agencies that administer youth funding, on behalf of my Department, were invited where it was appropriate, to submit proposals to my Department for the reconfiguration of the funding allocations notified to them across projects and funding schemes to better meet local needs. No submission was received in respect of proposals for the youth services in Donneycarney Community and Youth Centre.

I am aware of the challenges that the budgetary constraints raise for the youth services throughout the country. Officials of my Department continue to be available to meet with youth services to discuss any issues that arise for them in the provision of local services within the budgets available.