12. ANNE TOLLEY (National—East Coast) Link to this
to the Minister of Youth Affairs
Is she satisfied with the performance of the Ministry of Youth Development?
Why has the Minister continued to ignore warnings from the Ministry of Youth Development’s partner, the Gisborne District Council, about the risks of granting $118,000 of public money for a proposal that the council describes as “vague, lacking in definition, with a sloppy budget”?
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
Because the chief executive has entered into the agreement and signed off on it.
Is the Minister confident that the grant of $118,000 in Gisborne will be used for new activities, or will the ministry continue to ignore double-dipping by a community group, as warnings from the Gisborne District Council suggest?
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
The Youth Development Partnership Fund is a partnership fund with local councils to ensure that new initiatives or existing initiatives can be entered into on behalf of youth in the local community. The Ministry of Youth Development will be discussing with the council any concerns that have been raised in regard to that particular contract. Let me reiterate that that particular contract has been endorsed by the chief executive of the Gisborne District Council.
Is the Minister unconcerned about the wise expenditure of $766,000 nationally on the Ministry of Youth Development’s youth development contracts because, firstly, all the ongoing risks are left not with the Ministry of Youth Development but with the councils, which feel that they are expected to rubber-stamp such proposals at the eleventh hour, and, secondly, there are no ongoing management or monitoring costs for the Ministry of Youth Development to face?
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
The Youth Development Partnership Fund is a partnership fund that works with councils. Agreements, in terms of the contract arrangements, are strictly between the Ministry of Youth Development and the council. Any concerns in relation to that particular contract are currently being discussed with the ministry and the council.
Darren HughesWhat focus do those projects that are funded through the Youth Development Partnership Fund have to have to meet funding criteria?
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
The Youth Development Partnership Fund was launched in October 2005. It enables the Ministry of Youth Development to respond to emerging youth needs, and create new opportunities, by partnering with territorial authorities. The theme for this year is education, training, and employment. It rolls off the back of the Mayors Task Force for Jobs, and is an important part of working with territorial authorities. Successful applicants for the first round of funding include 12 projects throughout the country. Let me say again that any concerns in relation to that particular contract are currently being worked through with the Gisborne District Council and the Ministry of Youth Development.
Has the Minister pursued this Gisborne project, and maybe $766,000 worth of projects nationally, despite a raft of concerns about financial accountability, duplication, double-dipping, and even the very need for the project, in order just to be seen to be doing something, and to counter observations from people like Stephen Bell of Youthline, who stated that there is no point in developing a youth development strategy if it just sits on the shelf as a pretty book?
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
The Youth Development Partnership Fund is an important partnership fund that actually gives life to the youth development strategy. Any issue in relation to that particular contract is a matter currently being discussed and worked through. It is not money being frittered away. It is money that actually supports positive youth development. We want all young people in New Zealand to grow up to be proud, confident Kiwi kids, culturally diverse and respected in today’s society.
Hon Parekura Horomia Link to this
Can the Minister confirm that through the strong Government support and the efforts of a whole lot of communities in Gisborne, people in that area are really revelling in the contract signed up to by youth organisations such as the Kaiti youth group?
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
I can confirm that the Gisborne District Council wants to ensure that young people are supported, and the Youth Development Partnership Fund is one way of achieving that. I seek leave for the member Anne Tolley to table any correspondence she may have that supports her claim that—
Madam SPEAKER