Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2017
56. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the impact a club (details supplied) has had on local young persons interested in animal and equine care; if she will work with her colleagues in other Departments to introduce similar programmes in disadvantaged areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43528/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will visit a club (details supplied) to examine the positive results of young persons coming together to identify their own areas of interest with community development workers; her plans to use this model in working with young persons interested in animal and equine care in other disadvantaged areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43529/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 64 together.
The Clondalkin/Ballyowen Equine facility is an initiative which was financed by the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with South Dublin County Council. The facility provides a base for young people from the area who can’t afford a private stable to care for their animals. It also provides an opportunity for young people to develop good animal welfare practice and equine education. Any further development of this initiative would be a matter for the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the relevant local authority. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I greatly value such initiatives.
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work involving approximately 1,400 youth work staff working in youth services and communities throughout the country.
In 2017, €57.4 m has been allocated in current funding to support the provision of youth services. Budget 2017 and 2018 provided a total of €7m extra funding for youth services. Additional funding is being used for programmes that target disadvantaged young people and to assist national youth organisations in their work to support local voluntary youth services. Youth Officers are employed by the Education and Training Boards around the country to administer and co-ordinate youth services at a local level through engagement with the local services.
