Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 546: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the grant programmes available for community and voluntary groups from her Department under her responsibility; and the deadlines of each programme. [33923/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department deals with the non-formal education of Ireland's young people and provides support by way of financial and other assistance to organisations providing youth-work programmes and services. The funding available meets the costs of direct support for national voluntary youth-work organisations and several related activities, which include special projects for youth, particularly in disadvantaged areas, youth information services and grants to local youth groups and clubs. Grants-in-aid are made available on an annual basis to the youth sector through the following schemes.

Through the youth service grant scheme, funding is made available to some 31 national and major regional voluntary youth organisations. The closing date for 2006 applications is 31 December 2005.

Through the special projects for youth scheme, funding 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 substance abusers and young Travellers. The deadline for receipt of applications for 2006 is 31 January 2006.

The local youth club grant scheme supports youth-work activities at a local level. Those grants are made available to youth clubs and groups through the local vocational education committees, which determine an appropriate deadline for receipt of applications in their administrative area.