The organisation referred to by the Deputy is a voluntary body, governed by its own Board. It receives some of its funding from my Department h and raises other funding through member subscriptions and fund raising.
My Department provides funding to this organisation primarily through the Youth Service Grant Scheme. The Youth Service Grant Scheme has governance controls in place to ensure the appropriate use of public monies. Funding to this organisation is made available on the basis of an application process. This application process involves the outlining of specific deliverables related to the provision of services, and funds allocated to any organisation must be accounted for within specific budgetary streams related to these deliverables.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy:
• Investigations by the bodies referred to by the Deputy are matters for the organisation's Board. My Department will act on any relevant reports received from those bodies once any investigations are complete.
• My Department received a Protected Disclosure relating to this organisation earlier this year and it was forwarded at that time to the Protected Disclosure Commissioner for appropriate action, in accordance with protocol.
• My Department has no record of a Freedom of Information request of the nature described by the deputy. If one is submitted, it would be dealt with in accordance with the standard process.
• The organisation's membership projections are a matter for the Board of the organisation.
Officials in my Department continue to liaise with this organisation on relevant matters, and recently met with members of the senior management team and the board to discuss issues including compliance with governance requirements and the safeguarding of young people.
