Written answers

Tuesday, 15 October 2019

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Youth Services

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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582. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a progress report will be provided on the several sample projects that were established in 2016 and 2017; the number of projects fully operational; the number of new sample projects established in 2018 and 2019 relating to the future development of a single targeted youth funding programme to replace the current schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42110/19]

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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583. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of youth projects established under the single targeted youth funding programme to date by location; the amount of funding received by each project to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42111/19]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 583 together.

My Department is managing the most significant reform of youth services ever undertaken. This reform is informed by the Value for Money and Policy Review (VFMPR) 2014.  The VFMPR examined three existing targeted funding schemes, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund, the Special Projects for Youth (SPY) scheme and Local Drug Task Force projects scheme. 

Overall, the review found that the youth programmes can provide a significant contribution to improving outcomes for young people and should be considered for on-going public funding.  The review recommended the development of a single targeted youth funding programme to replace the existing schemes.  The review also made a number of recommendations for the future operation of such a funding scheme and its development in the years ahead, to ensure an evidence-based and outcomes-focused programme, designed to secure optimal outcomes for young people. 

To facilitate the VFMPR's recommendations, I approved funding allocations for the establishment of several sample projects in 2016 and 2017.  There have been 23 such sample projects approved since 2016, of which 21 were operational in 2018 and a further two commenced in 2019.  Of the 23 projects, seven have involved the augmentation of existing projects to respond to identified needs.

In determining the sample projects for funding, my Department has worked closely with the 16 Education and Training Boards, all of which were invited to nominate locations within their catchment areas for new and/or augmented projects.  The 23 sample projects fall within 10 of the ETB areas. The remaining 6 ETBs are currently involved in a process to identify the local needs of young people in these areas, with a view to submitting applications for new or augmented services.

I believe that the reformed system will bring substantial benefits to our young people, and my Department will continue with this important work.  Please find at the link a table with details of the sample projects, which highlights the year the service commenced and the funding the service has received to date.

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