Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Funding to staff-led youth services has generally been targeted at areas of disadvantage and not allocated in proportion to the youth population of a county. That has had an impact on Laois's funding relative to other counties.

Laois youth services received €86,803 in funding in 2017 under the special projects for youth scheme. Under the scheme, grant aid is made available in respect of out-of-school projects for disadvantaged young people. Priority is given to projects in the spheres of special youth work initiatives, young homeless people, young people at risk of substance abuse and young Travellers. In addition, funding has been provided to Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board under the local youth club grant scheme, youth capital funding scheme and the local youth club equipment scheme.

My Department also funds 31 national and major regional voluntary youth organisations. Foróige is funded through the scheme and provides a service to support 11 youth clubs in County Laois . Other clubs operating in County Laois that are affiliated to national organisations that receive funding from my Department include Macra na Feirme, Youth Work Ireland, the Irish Girl Guides, ECO-Unesco, the Order of Malta and Scouting Ireland.

In 2017 I allocated €57.4 million in current funding to support the provision of youth services. This was an increase of €5.5 million on the allocation for 2016. I have enhanced it by a further €1.5 million in 2018. I am committed to continuing to seek additional investment in youth services.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department is managing the most significant reform of youth services ever undertaken. Earlier this year I approved funding of €800,000 for the establishment of new youth projects and the augmentation of a small number of existing youth services to meet new challenges arising from population increases. Future development of and investment in youth services will be informed by the recently completed exercise which mapped youth service provision across the State.

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