I believe that there is value in providing small grants targeted at specific projects or activities that benefit children and young people. With this in mind, I am working with my officials to put in place a scheme of modest one-off grants in 2016 for local projects or groups working with children and young people.
Rather than using National Lottery funding, the scheme will utilise some of the additional Exchequer funding which I secured for my Department's 2016 Vote as part of Budget 2016. The scheme will be as simple as possible, with clear, transparent criteria for qualification. I intend to finalise and announce details of the scheme shortly.