Thomas Byrne
Question:83. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to improve funding for youth services in County Meath. [43216/19]
View answerTuesday, 22 October 2019
Questions (83)
Written answers
The Deputy may be aware that I recently announced that an additional €2m of funding has been secured for Youth Services. This funding is inclusive of Youth Schemes, Youth Participation and a Youth Climate Justice Initiative.
As the Deputy is aware the annual Estimates process is ongoing. It would not be appropriate for me to comment at this time as funding for the provision of youth services, amongst other areas, is under consideration and, as might be expected, is subject to resources.
I have enhanced investment in youth service provision each year since I took office, increasing current funding for youth services by an additional €8.5 million in the last three years. This represents an increase of 16% compared to 2016. Included in this, funding under the Youth Service Grant Scheme has increased by almost 10% since 2016, rising to €11.126m in 2019.
In addition, I have taken on board the findings of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Youth Programmes 2014. I am prioritising the implementation of an integrated funding scheme as recommended by this Review. Consultations with a wide range of stakeholders are continuing with a view to introducing this targeted youth funding scheme imminently.
In 2019, my Department has had funding of €60.4 million that is being deployed across a broad range of programmes supporting the provision of youth services throughout the country, with a specific focus on services in communities in areas considered to be disadvantaged based on the deprivation index. With the invaluable assistance of each Education and Training Boards and national organisations, the funding from my Department supports national and local youth programmes involving approximately 1,400 youth work staff working in communities across the country, as well as some 1,500 youth clubs nationally.
The funding allocation for the targeted youth projects and services in County Meath amounted to €152,854 in 2019.
|
Meath YWI |
|
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Meath Youth Together Project |
€95,242 |
|
Meath Involve |
|
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Meath Youth Project (Navan) |
€57,612 |
The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme - allocation of €131,735 for Louth Meath Education and Training Board.
ETB Youth Work Function - allocation of €119,640 for Louth Meath Education and Training Board.
ETB Technical Assistance - allocation of €23,500 for Louth Meath Education and Training Board.
Local Youth Club Equipment Scheme for voluntary clubs/groups - allocation of €64,496 for Louth Meath Education and Training Board.
Capital scheme for staff led youth services - allocation of €20,272 for Louth Meath Education and Training Board.