Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012
588 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether it is appropriate that an organisation (details supplied) which receives funding under the national development programme from her Department has branches which deny admittance to girls. [25490/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraScouting Ireland, which is a voluntary, uniformed, non-formal educational movement for young people, receives grant-aid funding under my Department's Youth Service Grant Scheme. In addition, a large number of local scout units receive one-off annual grants from my Department under the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme to assist with group activity and/or running costs.
Officials of my Department have been in contact with Scouting Ireland with regard to the Deputy's query and Scouting Ireland has advised that scouting is open to all young people between the ages of 6 and 25 who are supported in their challenges of personal progression and development by volunteer adult leadership. In 1987, Scouting Ireland from its founding associations, decided in favour of a coeducational approach and since that time has made significant progress in building an integrated organisation where boys and girls can learn together through the Scout method. More than 90% of its groups are mixed gender groups and some 40% of its young members and 50% of its adult volunteers are female. Scouting Ireland has stated that it is encouraging its few remaining single sex groups to embrace a coeducational programme. Scouting Ireland has advised my Department that all its new groups are opened on that basis. In the meantime, Scouting Ireland has indicated that the young person who wishes to join its Balbriggan Group will be offered a place in a selection of neighbouring groups.
I welcome the work by Scouting Ireland to provide activities to both boys and girls on an equal access basis and would encourage the adoption of this practice by all scouting groups.
