Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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489. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for the additional €1.5 million allocated to her Department in budget 2019 for youth services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52167/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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My Department has commenced a process to identify service development needs for 2019 and to finalise the 2019 youth funding allocations. The primary purpose of this process is to ensure that youth services are sufficiently resourced to meet the needs of young people and particularly those who are at risk of drugs or alcohol misuse, early school leaving, homelessness or who are living in disadvantaged communities.

In this regard, officials within my Department are currently awaiting the return of completed funding renewal applications on behalf of youth projects throughout the country which are due to be submitted by 21 December 2018.  On receipt of these completed renewal applications, my Department will be in a position to finalise the funding allocation which will be provided for each youth project in 2019, having regard to the overall budgetary position.  Every effort will be made to complete this process as soon as possible and notify all youth services of their allocation at the earliest possible date.