Youth Work Projects Funding

Tuesday, 30 April 2013

Questions (498)

Nicky McFadden

Question:

498. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the funding currently being provided to youth work projects in County Westmeath, including the SPY funded project and youth information services, Athlone Youth and Community Project, Athlone Youth Information Service and Mullingar Youth Project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19814/13]

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Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.498m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme (SPY), the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2, (YPFSF), Youth Information Centres (YICs) and Local Drugs Task Force Projects (LDTF).

Details of the funding allocated in 2013 to youth work projects and youth information services in Co. Westmeath are outlined hereunder:

Project	Funding Scheme	2013 Allocation
Midlands Athlone Youth Project.	SPY	€85,823
Mullingar Youth Project.	SPY	€83,796
Total	-	€169,619

Youth Information Centre	Funding Scheme	2013 Allocation
Athlone Youth Information Centre	YIC	€49,001

Project	Funding Scheme	2013 Allocation
The Gateway Project.	YPFSF (2)	€86,296

The total funding allocation for 2013 to the projects and services outlined above is €304,916.

In addition, my Department provides funding for a Local Youth Club Grant Scheme which supports youth work activities at a local level (€1.035m in 2013). These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through local Vocational Education Committees. The allocation for this scheme will be notified to the VECs, including Co. Westmeath VEC over the coming weeks and applications for funding will be subsequently invited by the VECs from local groups in their areas. No reduction was made to the funding available for this scheme over 2012 and 2013.