Sport under the youth levy scheme
Andrews asks whether sport will be funded under the youth levy scheme. The Minister outlines the statutory purposes for which levy funds may be used; the available answer is incomplete.
asked the Minister for Labour if it is his intention to include sport under the youth levy scheme; if not, the reasons for his decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
The Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981, provides that the youth employment levy shall be used to defray the expenditure of the Youth Employment Agency in the performance of its functions and such other expenditure in relation to the training and employment of young persons as the Minister for Labour may determine with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
The broad functions of the Youth Employment Agency as laid down in the Act are to establish, develop, extend, operate, assist, encourage, supervise, co-ordinate and integrate, either directly or indirectly, schemes for the training and employment of young persons, being principally persons over the age of 15 years and under the age of 25 years.
I am precluded by the legislation from using the levy for any other purpose.
The Deputy will be aware, however, of the benefit derived by sporting bodies and organisations from the construction and improvement of pavilions, playing fields and other facilities under youth employment and training schemes financed from the youth levy, particularly the temporary youth employment scheme and the community youth training programme.