Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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15. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the State support that has and will be provided to computer coding club initiatives, for example, CoderDojo and TechSpace; if any support is planned for such initiatives; if there is to be co-ordination of such initiatives; the locations of and plans for the further development of such important clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43968/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The Youth Service Grant Scheme provides funding some 30 national and major regional youth organisations which support the provision of programmes and services for the personal and social education of young people between the ages of 10 to 24. Other schemes support youth projects which focus on preventative responses for young people who are disadvantaged, in particular young people who are homeless, at risk of alcohol and drugs misuse, are out of school or Traveller children.

In 2014, funding of €49.78m has been provided to my Department for these schemes. I am pleased to advise that Budget 2015 has confirmed that funding of €49.78m will again be provided to my Department in 2015 to support the provision of youth services. There will be no reduction in the overall allocation for youth services in 2015 which was a key priority for youth organisations.

The initiatives mentioned by the Deputy have not received funding from my Department and their activities do not come within the scope of the main funding programmes available to my Department at this time.

I am aware of the valuable work carried out at local level by computer coding clubs such as CoderDojo and TechSpace. Computer coding initiatives have much to contribute to helping young people in making the most of digital technology and in particular, in positioning Ireland to take advantage of the opportunities of digital in line with the objectives of the National Digital Strategy led by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

I would like to advise the Deputy that local volunteer-led youth clubs are eligible to apply for funding under my Department's Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and other related schemes operated in Dublin and Waterford Cities. In 2014, €1.035m was made available under this Scheme to local youth clubs and groups, for 1,900 volunteer-led youth clubs with almost 100,000 young members. These annual grants are important source of funding for local youth clubs and groups. The Scheme is administered by 16 Education and Training Boards on behalf of my Department. Further information on this is available on my Department’s website, www.dcya.gov.ie, or from regional Education and Training Boards.

Details of the 2015 Scheme will be announced in the first quarter of 2015.