merrion street

“I am pleased to announce that I have authorised the commencement of the
youth work schemes this month in South East Cavan, West Wicklow, Drogheda,
County Louth, in Cahir, County Tipperary and in the Fethard / Killenaule
area of Tipperary.”

“Earlier this year, my Department secured a €200,000 fund for the
development of new services, initially in four Education and Training Board
(ETB) Areas. These services are being initiated in regions of the country
where there is a pressing need for services to meet the needs of young
people.

“I am confident that these new services will provide a tremendous boost
for the communities involved, and I welcome the announcement in Budget 2017
of a youth funding allocation that will ensure the continuity of these
services during 2017.”

Minister Zappone thanked the Chief Executives and Youth Officers in each of
the four ETBs for their commitment to this process over the past year. “The
establishment of these new services will assist my Department is its reform
programme, in particular in the implementation recommendations of the Value
for Money and Policy Review of Youth Funding Schemes.”

The Minister also announced further investment in new services. The Budget
2017 youth funding allocation will allow my Department, in association with
the ETBs to identify other areas of the country, where there are few or no
services in place to meet the needs of young people. It is my intention
that these areas will be identified over the coming months.”