Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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199. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the application for €1.2 million in capital funding for Scouting Ireland for developments at Larch Hill and Killaloe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33968/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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In 2016 some €2.6m has been allocated to my Department for a capital funding scheme for youth projects and services. The scheme was open to projects that are funded by the Department under the Special Projects for Youth scheme, Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund, Local Drugs Task Force Projects scheme and Youth Information Centres scheme. The scheme was also open to national youth organisations in receipt of funding under the Youth Services Grants Scheme.

The scheme was split into two categories, Type One and Type Two. Type One provided for smaller capital projects including the up-grade or replacement of equipment or the purchase of essential equipment to support the running of the project/organisation in the provision of quality services for young people. Type Two provided for health and safety improvements to premises and/or upgrade or refurbishment of premises, including improvements to enable access for young people with disabilities, including those with physical or sensory disabilities. Applicants were limited to one application under Type One and one application under Type Two and the maximum grant payable was €50,000.

Scouting Ireland successfully applied for funding under this scheme and was awarded €49,630 under Type Two to fund the improvement of disability access and security at Scouting Ireland, National Water Activity Centre in Killaloe, Co. Clare. A second Type Two application was received in respect of Scouting Ireland's Larch Hill premises. The application was deemed ineligible by the Youth Capital Scheme 2016/2017 Appraisal Committee as organisations were limited to one Type Two application only. My Department has received no application for funding amounting to €1.2m from Scouting Ireland.

Work on the development of a new capital funding scheme for 2017 is underway. My Department is engaging with each Education and Training Board Youth Officer to identify the capital needs of the youth sector. I hope to announce details of this new capital scheme in the coming months. I do not envisage that my Department will be providing grants of the magnitude sought by Scouting Ireland.

Scouting Ireland receives annual funding under my Department's Youth Service Grant Scheme which supports national youth organisations. In 2016, some €835,000 has been allocated to the organisation. In addition, €200,000 is provided to them under the Dormant Accounts Fund.