§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the budget for the youth service in cash and constant price terms for 1996–97 and 1997–98; what consequences this will have for the provision of services; and if he will make a statement. [10981]
§ Mr. AncramThe budget for the youth service for 1996–97 is £15.5 million.
Funding for the youth service is provided by education and library boards within their block grant allocations and by the Youth Council for Northern Ireland. Each board decides on the resources which should be allocated for its youth service, and their proposals for 1997–98 will be submitted to the Department for approval by 31 January.
The Youth Council and the education and library boards will not have had sufficient time to determine the full effects of the expenditure reductions in the youth service. However, it remains the Government's priority that services should be focused on those most in need, and whenever possible, service provision rather than service support be protected.
The Government also provide additional matching funding for youth organisations under the European Union special initiative for peace and reconciliation and will continue to provide additional funds to meet up to 25 per cent. of the total cost of projects funded under this initiative.