€50k for youth café in Dun Laoghaire will provide for safe hang-out space for kids – Mitchell O’Connor

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, said the provision of €50,000 towards the development of a youth café in Dun Laoghaire will provide a safe, secure and alcohol free environment in which local children can hang-out and learn new activities.

The announcement comes as part of the delivery of €1.5 million in capital funding for 30 new youth cafés across the country as announced by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD.

“These funds will be used by Catholic Youth Care (CYC) to move in to the Boylan Centre in Dun Laoghaire, where the café will be located and to share space within the building with Crosscare. This demonstrates a practical approach to delivery as both organisations will be engaged in rationalisation which will allow funds to go further.

“Ensuring that young people have access to a safe environment in their locality in which they can hang-out and avail of activities and social recreation is so important. If a youth café is provided locally it gives children a focus and an alternative to hanging around the streets while chatting with and catching up with their friends.

“I am delighted that CYC and Crosscare have decided to work together and that the Government’s commitment to addressing the needs of our children has resulted in the provision of funds for such worthwhile projects. This funding of €1.5 million brings the total investment in new youth cafés by the Government to €2.2 million since coming to Office. This project will add great value to the local area and I’ve no doubt will be met with great excitement by the young people who plan to use it.”