§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what will be the level of funding of youth work in Northern Ireland next year; what was the expenditure in the current financial year; and if he will make a statement. [8640]
§ Mr. AncramFunding figures for 1996–97 allocations to the youth service in Northern Ireland are subject to parliamentary approval. It is anticipated that there will be a rise in the budget of the Youth Council for Northern Ireland of 2.5 per cent. on the planning figure of £2,161,000 for 1995–96.
Funding for the youth service in Northern Ireland is also included within the block grant allocations of the local education and library boards. The determination of the levels of funding and allocation of these funds rests with the individual boards.
794WThe Government have also agreed to provide additional funding for youth organisations under the European Union special initiative for peace and reconciliation. A sum in the region of 5 million ECU for the intermediary funding body for the youth sector has been included in the operational programme. The Government will provide additional funds to meet up to 25 per cent. of the total cost of projects funded under this initiative.