asked the Minister for Labour if, in view of this being the centenary year of the foundation of the GAA, he will make youth employment grants available to the association for history research; skill and technique studies; the teaching and coaching of same and the development and promotion of Gaelic games throughout the country; the money that he will make available; the conditions of the schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - GAA Centenary Year.
517.
I am very much aware that 1984 is the centenary year of the foundation of the GAA and already my Department have allocated grant-aid under the youth employment scheme to a number of GAA clubs for projects related specifically to the centenary year. I should add that the Minister for Finance in his budget speech on 25 January announced the award of a special grant of £100,000 to the GAA for specific projects connected with the celebration of the centenary year of the foundation of the association.
I am prepared to consider further applications of a similar nature which will provide employment for young persons. I cannot, at this stage, state the total amount of money which will be allocated to GAA clubs. Each individual application must be considered on its merits and the amount of money allocated to any individual organisation is dependent on the number of applications received from that organisation, the type of projects proposed and the funds available for the operation of the Scheme.
The terms and conditions of the youth employment scheme are available from my Department. In brief, grants are payable for the employment of young people on desirable community work which would not otherwise be undertaken in the normal course at the present time.
The scheme is financed from the youth employment levy.