Departmental Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021

Thursday, 21 October 2021

Questions (208)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

208. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education the status of progress towards meeting the commitment in the Programme for Government to expand access to social innovation programmes to all post-primary schools; the progress to date in terms of the uptake of post primary schools and students of social innovation programmes and the new funding provided and future commitments to achieve this goal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51735/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department's commitment in the Programme for Government to expand access to social innovation programmes to all post-primary schools is ongoing.. 

In recent years, for example, my Department has provided a grant in aid and  also disimbursed Dormant Accounts Funding to 'The Young Social Innovators’ (YSI). 

The YSI, pay particular attention to empowering young people who are disadvantaged socially, educationally, economically or with special needs by promoting civic, social and political learning and engagement in their communities and society so countering disadvantage and building essential learning and skills.

Below is a table showing funding allocated to YSI and participation rates in the programmes over the last three years. 

Year	Dept of Educatin Funding	Dormant Account Funding	YSI Schools	YSI Pupils
2019	€50,000	N/A	212	6,668
2020	€50,000	€150,000	212	6,668
2021	€50,000	€180,000	272	8,168

  

The Department of Education funding and the Dormant Account Funding for YSI in 2022 is currently under consideration.