Jim Daly
Question:616. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the avenues of funding available for the running of youth cafés; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15257/17]
View answerTuesday, 28 March 2017
Questions (616)
Written answers
In recent years capital funding has been made available to my Department for the development of youth café facilities. Youth Cafés offer young people a safe, alcohol and drug free space, for recreation, non-formal learning and youth activities and they make an important contribution to facilities for young people at local level. Recent research undertaken by my Department indicates that there are now more than 150 youth cafés throughout the country. In the main, these have been developed, over the years, by local communities with the support of different funding sources. Between 2011 and 2013, capital funding provided to my Department supported the development and fit-out of new youth café proposals.
My Department does not provide current funding to organisations such as the Funky Fish Youth Café, referred to in the Deputy's question. I am advised that the Funky Fish Youth Café was allocated once-off funding of €5,773 in 2011. However, it is open to them to make an application for funding under the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme which supports youth work activities at a local level. Under this scheme, grants are made available to 1,600 youth clubs and groups through the local Education and Training Boards.
In 2017, almost €1.2m has been allocated to this scheme, a 10% increase over 2016. The scheme, which is open to new entrants, will be advertised locally and applications for funding are invited by almost all ETBs from local groups in their respective areas. Cork ETB will be advertising the scheme on their website over the coming months.