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Minister Zappone announces 94 capital grants to 86 youth projects and organisations throughout the country
Dr Katherine Zappone TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, has today (July 2016) announced the allocation of 94 grants to 86 youth projects across the country to fund small capital projects.
The aim of this capital funding scheme is to provide much needed assistance to youth projects and was split into two categories:
· Type One, which provides for the up-grade or replacement of equipment or the purchase of essential equipment to support the running of the project or organisation and
· Type Two, which will fund health and safety improvements to premises or the upgrade or refurbishment of premises, including the purchase and installation of kitchen and toilet facilities or improvements to enable access to young people with disabilities, including those with physical or sensory disabilities.
Minister Zappone stated: “I am delighted to be in a position to announce the allocation of these grants to the 86 successful applicants. As in previous years, I am confident the grants will assist in improving the quality of the services to the benefit of young people involved. In particular, they will improve the physical facilities available to these young people.
“The provision of almost €2m in grants underscores the Government’s commitment to enhance the quality of services which add such value to our communities.”
The Minister thanked Youth Officers in local Education and Training Boards for their work in supporting local youth projects and their assistance to his Department in the operation of this scheme. Minister Zappone stated that “Youth Officers play an essential role in the co-ordination of youth service provision to my Department. They act as a contact point in their respective localities and play important support role to the providers of youth services.”
The Capital funding scheme was open to applications from Department of Children and Youth Affairs funded projects under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, Youth Information Centres, Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund and Local Drugs Task Force (21 mainstreamed projects) schemes, along with organisations in receipt of Youth Service Grant Scheme.