“Cork and Kildare receive new Youth Officers as funding to Education and Training Boards increase by 15%”
Statement by Minister Katherine Zappone
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone has announced €2m in funding to the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to support their work with children and young people
Funding is up 15% over last year’s allocation.
This additional funding will allow for the appointment of two new youth officer posts in Counties Cork and Kildare. It will also allow for the replacement of a number of youth officer posts in other ETB areas, which became vacant in the past year.
Making the announcement Minister Zappone said “the process of reversing cuts of recent years in youth services is now well underway.
This announcement is on the back of increased funding for national youth organisations, local youth clubs and those providing sport, arts and supports on the ground.
Investing in these services not only secures the future of young people but also ensures our communities have young leaders with skills, passion and talent.
Government has a duty to support this work. This year overall funding to services will
increase to €57m.”
Minister Zappone added she was “committed to supporting the Education and Training Boards with their role in the management and delivery of youth services.
Youth Officers employed by the Education and Training Boards play an important support role to my Department in the administration and coordination of youth services at local level.
They engage with local services and provide support and advice to youth services.
She added “My Department has been examining the roles of the Education and Training Boards and in particular, the strengthening of the role of the Youth Officer, which is seen as crucial to support the successful implementation of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Youth Funding Schemes, conducted in 2014.”
Background Note
Section 10 of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013 provides that ETBs “support the provision, coordination, administration and assessment of youth work services in its functional area and provide such information as may be requested by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to such support”.