03 August, 2004 - Minister de Valera announces increase in funding for the Youth Sector.

Ms. Síle de Valera, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, today announced that, following a review of the financial provision for the youth sector generally, she had approved an increase of 4% in the funding allocations for three major schemes administered by the Department in the youth area.

The schemes in question are the Special Projects for Disadvantaged Youth, the Youth Service Grants Scheme and Youth Information Centres. In excess of 200 projects and organisations currently receive funding under the schemes.

The Minister also announced new funding of over €100,000 in respect of a number of projects and organisations under two of the schemes, the Special Projects for Disadvantaged Youth and the Youth Service Grants Scheme. The new funding will support efforts to address issues such as early school leaving and substance abuse among young people in a number of areas. It will also contribute to enhancing international youth exchanges.

The Minister said ‘I am happy to be in a position to provide additional funding for the sector, a substantial proportion of which is targeted at disadvantaged young people and underlines the strong commitment of the Government to address issues of social inclusion. The increase will also help to support the activities of Youth Information Centres and national organisations active in the youth sector.’

The funding secured by the Minister for the youth area in 2004 is €28.624 million. This amount includes an additional €500,000 allocated in the revised estimates for the continued phased implementation of the National Youth Work Development Plan 2003-2007.

The Minister concluded: “I recognise the important role played by individuals and organisations, including young people themselves, in the youth sector at all levels in helping the personal and social development of our young people. The youth sector also has a key role to play in addressing the issues and concerns of young people who are disadvantaged. I am committed to supporting the work that they do by continuing to press for increased funding in future years through the estimates process.“

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