Youth services being stretched to the limit, warns Stanton

THE crackdown on underage drinking in pubs is pointless when young people have nowhere else to go, Fine Gael has warned.

Although the government raises 1.5 billion in taxes on alcohol, just 45 million of this is invested in youth services and 26m of that comes from the National Lottery.

"We're putting in place all sorts of measures to limit youth and control them but if you talk to young people, they'll tell you they have nothing to do and nowhere to go," said Fine Gael TD David Stanton.

The Youth Work Act (2001) was intended to make sports' courses, art classes, relationship programmes, exchange trips and other activities widely available to people under 25.

It would also provide specific programmes for specific groups such as young people with disabilities and young Travellers. But two years after the Youth Work Act passed, clubs and voluntary organisations are still waiting for the promised funding and staff.

"This plan is causing major frustration because youth services are already being stretched to the limit. I can't see it being implemented unless the Government gives a major commitment," said Mr Stanton.

The Irish Vocational Education Association, which administers the funding for youth projects, said everything was at a 'standstill'.

"There is nothing in place from the youth act and one has to question if youth affairs is a political priority. It is a pity because it is one of the most dynamic and progressive pieces of legislation for years," said general secretary Michael Moriarty.

Last August, the Government published its 37m four-year plan to implement the youth act.

The Minister for Youth Affairs Síle De Valera has promised that an assessor of youth work will be appointed this year and that child protection training programmes will be provided.

Youth forums are being planned to give local groups a chance to set up their own activities. However, the rest of the National Youth Plan 2004-2007 is dependent on the Budget.

"VECs were very excited about the possibilities but nothing can be done until funding is in place ," said Mr Moriarty. Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, Education Minister Noel Dempsey said the funding for youth affairs was "totally dependent on resources".