Written answers

Thursday, 7 October 2021

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Youth Services

Photo of Verona MurphyVerona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

331. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding his Department will be providing to re-engage young people with youth services and to increase volunteer and staff recruitment for youth services following the recent new report by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49078/21]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The allocations under Budget 2022 are being considered by Government in the context of the annual Estimates process for 2022. As this process is ongoing, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage.

I would like to reiterate the significance and value I place on the contributions made by volunteers to the community life of our country and to supporting our most vulnerable. In the youth sector, the work of some 40,000 volunteers has been key to the ability of youth work organisations to function effectively prior to the pandemic.

My Department sits on the Implementation Group of the National Volunteering Strategy 2021 – 2025. The purpose of this Strategy, led by the Department of Rural and Community Development, is to recognise, support and promote the unique value and contribution of volunteers to Irish society. A number of representatives of the voluntary youth sector are represented on subgroups under the Strategy working to advance actions in the areas of volunteer support and training as well as youth engagement .

As the Deputy will be aware, I provided an increase of €5 million in funding for youth services in 2021, bringing the total from my Department to €66.8 million this year.

Each year, my Department funds universally focused, volunteer led, youth work through the Youth Service Grant Scheme. A number of National Youth Organisations will benefit from over €12 million in funding under this scheme in 2021. This represents a 6% increase over the funding provided in 2020. I believe that the youth work carried out by these volunteer groups is transformative for young people.

Additionally, the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports volunteer-led youth work activities at a local level. The funding for this scheme increased by 7% to €2.3m in 2021. This scheme supports 1,400 clubs or groups nationwide.

I have consistently recognised the significant role that the youth sector plays in the lives of young people today, and the extremely valuable role that volunteers play in this. Given the strong commitment of our volunteers, I am very hopeful that as public health matters improve; as more people are vaccinated; and as Youth Organisations are better positioned to support volunteers once again, we will see volunteers returning.

The Deputy will be aware that youth funding was maintained through the Covid-19 restrictions and various supports provided. As Ireland's phased re-opening progresses, it is of the utmost importance that youth work organisations are supported to restore their volunteer positions so that the resumption of youth services can continue and I am committed to continuing to support youth work services to do so.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.