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Minister O’Gorman announces approval of €1.4 million to youth services to assist with reopening

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced that €1.4 million is to be provided to frontline youth services and clubs nationally to support them as COVID-19 restrictions are being eased.

The re-engagement and support of volunteers who are the backbone of youth services nationally is a key focus in providing these additional funds in 2021. The one-off grants are aimed at supporting services to open as fully as is possible in line with the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions. The department has recently updated its guidance to youth services on this.

Those eligible for funding include

The funding is provided on a one-off small grant basis in 2021 to support the re-engagement of volunteers, defray some costs associated with managing a service in line with COVID-19 guidance, and to fund additional hygiene and sanitary measures.

Further information is available from your local Education and Training Board (ETB).

Minister O’Gorman commented:

"I am pleased to be able support frontline youth services and clubs in this way. Youth services have worked hard to engage with young people during these restrictions. I encourage all services, volunteers and young people to take these first step towards the full range of activities."

The Minster went on to say:

“As we move forward with reopening our social and economic life, young people need to have avenues open to them. I am confident that youth services have played and will continue to play this vital role in young person’s lives.”