Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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448. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the grants available through her Department for a pilot programme (details supplied) that works with young persons through voluntary organisations and schools in order to develop the project further; when and the way in which grants can be applied for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47802/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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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 funding schemes support national and local youth work involving approximately 1,400 youth work staff working in youth services and communities throughout the country. I am pleased to confirm that I have allocated an extra €5.5 m in current funding to support the provision of youth services in 2017. This will bring the total youth funding by my Department to €57.4m, an increase of 10% over last year's allocation. The additional funding is being used for programmes that target disadvantaged young people and to assist national youth organisations in their work to support local voluntary youth services.

The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports youth work activities at a local level. These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through the local Education and Training Boards. The scheme is open to some 1,700 youth groups and clubs, with an estimated 90,000 club members around the country. The scheme, which is open to new entrants, is advertised locally and applications for funding are invited by the Education and Training Boards from local groups in their respective areas. In 2017, I have provided an additional 10% in funding to the scheme, bringing the total allocation to €1.1715. The 2017 scheme has now closed. The scheme will be advertised by each Education and Training Board early next year. It is open to the organisation to make an application under the scheme.