Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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708. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which a co-ordinated youth support service exist throughout the country; her plans to address such issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7449/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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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 more than 450 projects and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country. In 2017, current funding of €57.4m will be provided by my Department for these schemes.

My Department maintains close contact with the youth services throughout the country, and works closely with Education and Training Boards throughout the country.

My Department works closely with the national and major regional youth organisations, including the National Youth Council or Ireland, which has a representative role for the voluntary youth services. Regular meetings are held to exchange information and the youth services actively work with my Department on the development of coordinated policies and services that meet young people’s needs.

In line with the national Youth Strategy 2015 – 2020, the focus is on the outcomes to be achieved for young people in all developmental aspects of their lives, so that they are active and healthy, achieving in learning and development, safe and protected from harm, have economic security and that they are connected and contributing to their world. These goals are the basis for a coordinated approach across all youth stake-holders, including the youth services, in the implementation of national strategies for children and young people.

Youth Officers of the Education and Training Boards have an important support role to my Department, in the administration and coordination of youth services at local level. Youth Officers engage with local services, on behalf of my Department. They provide support and advice in matters to do with the application and reporting processes for funding and the implementation of quality standards in services for young people. In this context, I am considering providing additional resources to bolster the Youth Officer function during 2017. This will assist my Department in the implementation of the recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review of youth funding schemes.

Many Youth Officers and local youth services participate in the Children and Young People’s Services Committees, set up by my Department, throughout the country. These Committees provide a forum for joint planning and coordination to ensure children and young people and their families receive improved, coordinated and accessible services at local level.

I, and officials of my Department have met, and continue to meet regularly, with youth organisations and groups. My aim is to see how we can work together in a coordinated way to bring about the best possible outcomes for young people.