Support for Youth Services in Kildare North

Question 227: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs taking into account the 12.4% population increase in the Kildare North Constituency, as outlined in Census 2011, the plans in place to increase the resources and level of support for youth services in the area, bearing in mind that the population increase is mainly due to natural increase and therefore the constituency has a high population of young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Response from Minister Frances Fitzgerald (Department of Children): 7th July 2011

The 2011 budget allocation for the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department is €60.154 million on current expenditure and €800,00 on capital expenditure. This funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth work sector. Some €656,000 has been allocated to youth projects and clubs in Co.Kildare. My Department is in the process of developing a Youth Policy Framework which will, inter alia, provide greater coordination and coherence in youth service provision and related services for young people. My Department has also recently established a Task Group under the auspices of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee to examine current funding mechanisms and to consider options for moving towards a more streamlined resource effective approach