Volunteer Youth Clubs in the South Dublin County Council area and in Dun-Laoghaire are to receive over €266,000 in funding, according to Minister Katherine Zappone.
Minister Zappone says the money will be directly targeted at smaller clubs who are making a huge difference in communities by providing activities, support and assistance to young people.
The funding has been made directly available to the local Education and Training Board based in Tallaght with a request from the Minister that it be distributed as quickly as possible.
Announcing the funding Minister Zappone said: “Volunteer Youth Clubs are the lifeblood for our young people in Dublin – they offer support, information and help teenagers discover a passion for sport, music and culture. They also stop our teenagers falling into the trap of anti-social behaviour or crime – and in many cases help re-start young lives. As an Independent Minister I was determined that such work would get increased support and I can confirm that this year the voluntary sector is getting 13% extra funding.
In our communities stretching from Tallaght right across to Lucan and from Rathfarnham along the southern suburbs to Dun Laoghaire it will mean that just over €266,000 will be available.
Distribution of the funding will be through the local Education and Training Board. I am asking that the board give priority to ensuring that this money benefits our young people and those who work with them as soon as possible. Preparations for Budget 2019 are already underway and I am continuing negotiations with cabinet colleagues. I am again asking that investment in our young people continues and that we see further support for those projects which are having a real positive impact on the ground.”
