Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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47. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the closure of a centre (details supplied); her views on whether the closure of such a facility would impact on the programme for Government commitment to tackle child poverty by increasing community based early intervention programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43752/17]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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72. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will intervene into the closure of a centre (details supplied) in view of the centre's role in providing essential services to children and young persons in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43753/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 72 together.

I was advised two weeks ago that a decision had been taken by the board of the management company operating Brookfield Youth and Community Centre to cease operations with immediate effect. I was not provided with advance notice of the closure but I believe that the Centre’s closure was not as a result of funding issues.

I am anxious to ensure that the services being operated at Brookfield Youth and Community Centre, particularly those being delivered to at-risk young people, are recommenced at the earliest possible juncture. The funding for these services remains available and above all I want to see this funding being spent on these young people who had been attending at Brookfield Youth and community Centre. In this regard, I have asked Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board to work closely with South Dublin County Council to ensure that this important facility is up and running as soon as possible.

Brookfield Youth and Community Centre is funded under my Department’s Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund. Thisfund was established by the Government to assist in the development of preventative strategies in a targeted manner through the development of youth facilities, including sports and recreational facilities, and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop.

The centre hosts a number of vital services, including youth services, which are funded by my Department. The youth services have been provided by both Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB and by Foróige staff from these premises. The youth workers who deliver these services were not employees of the centre and both the Education and Training Board and Foróige are looking to use alternative premises while the centre is closed.