Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2323. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding is available to an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo to support the employment of a youth officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33142/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding on an annual basis to thirty national and major regional voluntary youth organisations, including Foróige, under the youth service grant scheme. The continued funding of youth organisations under this scheme is to ensure the emergence, promotion, growth and development of youth organisations. €10.65m was allocated to the youth service grant scheme for 2018 and Foróige was allocated €2,746,307 in funding under this scheme.
Last year as part of the overall reform of youth services, I announced the establishment of ten new youth services as well as the augmentation of a further seven existing youth services throughout the country. This reform process included the establishment of a new youth project which is operated by Foróige in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo. This new youth project has been allocated funding which will provide for the recruitment of two youth officers on a full time basis as well as the recruitment of a counsellor on a 2.5 days per week basis which benefit to the young people of Ballyhaunis and the surrounding areas.
Youth officers in Education and Training Boards provide an important role to my Department in the co-ordination and administration of youth services at a local level across the country. Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board was provided with funding of €154,389 in 2018 to carry out its responsibilities with regard to youth work function and support the provision, co -ordination, administration and assessment of youth work services in its functional area.
My Department is committed to working with Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB to identify need and to explore ways to address this need when it emerges.
