Youth Services Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016

Friday, 16 September 2016

Questions (1925)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1925. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of applications received nationally in relation to the capital funding scheme; the number of qualified applications received nationally; the number of applications received from counties Louth and Meath; the number of qualified applications received from counties Louth and Meath in relation to the capital funding scheme which was open to applications from her Department funded projects under the special projects for youth scheme, youth information centres, young people’s facilities and services fund and local drugs task force, 21 mainstreamed projects schemes, along with organisations in receipt of the youth service grant scheme; if a list of these applications and qualified applications can be made available for counties Louth and Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24930/16]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

In 2016 some €2.6m has been allocated to my Department for a capital funding scheme for youth projects and services. The scheme was open to projects that are funded by the Department under the Special Projects for Youth scheme, Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund, Local Drugs Task Force Projects scheme and Youth Information Centres scheme. The scheme was also open to national youth organisations in receipt of funding under the Youth Services Grants Scheme.

The scheme was split into two categories, Type One and Type Two. Type One provided for smaller capital projects including the up-grade or replacement of equipment or the purchase of essential equipment to support the running of the project/organisation in the provision of quality services for young people. Type Two provided for health and safety improvements to premises and/or upgrade or refurbishment of premises, including improvements to enable access for young people with disabilities, including those with physical or sensory disabilities.

The Department was assisted in the administration of the scheme by the network of Education and Training Boards throughout the country

In all, 135 applications were received and 94 were recommended for funding. Some 41 applications were deemed ineligible under the scheme. One application was received from the Louth Meath Education and Training Board area. This Type Two application was made by Craobh Rua Community Youth Project, Dundalk, County Louth. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project was awarded a grant of €50,000 to assist the organisation in the refurbishment of their youth facility.