Youth Services to Benefit From new Government Initiatives

“In response to a Dáil Question I tabled to Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Ms. Frances Fitzgerald, I am pleased to learn of the newly established Department’s funding and future plans for youth services throughout the country. This is particularly relevant for Kildare North which experienced a 12.4% population increase from 2006 according to the preliminary results of Census 2011. As this population surge is due to natural increase, there are greater pressures on youth services to provide facilities to a growing young population” said Kildare North TD Anthony Lawlor.

The Department’s funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including youths from disadvantaged communities. The Minister is in the process of developing a Youth Policy Framework that will, among other things, provide greater coherence in youth service provision and other related services for Ireland’s youth. There has also been the establishment by the Department of a Task Group, in connection with the National Youth Work Advisory Committee, charged with examining the current funding mechanisms and to consider options for providing a more streamlined resource effective approach.

“I have been informed that the Department has allocated to Co. Kildare nearly €656,000 for local youth projects and clubs. It is my hope that this funding will provide the means to enhance the experience of the increasing numbers who are participating in them, and to offer a wider range of opportunities for youths looking for a way to stay active within the community”, concluded Anthony Lawlor TD.