Press release
Minister O’Gorman announces Comhairle na nÓg ICT Capital Funding Scheme
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman T.D., is delighted to announce a €90,000 Comhairle na nÓg ICT Capital Funding Scheme, open to applications from all Local Authorities to support the work of Comhairle na nÓg.
Throughout COVID-19, Comhairle na nÓg have been resilient and innovative in continuing to ensure that the voice of young people is heard in decision-making at local and national level, moving to an online or blended model of service provision.
Minister O’Gorman said that:
“now more than ever, decision makers must ensure we hear what young people have to say as we look to address the challenges facing us. It is vital that we provide them with the necessary tools to allow them continue to have their voice heard”.
The Minister added that he is pleased to be in a position to provide this support to the work of Comhairle na nÓg through his Department’s Capital Funding programme.
In 2019 almost 4,000 young people participated in the work of Comahirle na nÓg across the country. The Comhairle na nÓg ICT Capital Funding Scheme will assist Local Authorities in their efforts to ensure that the maximum number of young people can continue to participate in the work of Comhairle na nÓg and that new young people who might previously have been excluded, can become involved.
The Comhairle na nÓg ICT Capital Funding Scheme is for ICT Hardware to support the development and implementation of technology enabled participation, within government guidelines. It is envisaged that grants in the region of €1,000 - €3,000 will be made available under this scheme. Grants up to €10,000 may be considered on an exceptional basis. The amount of the grant awarded will be dependent on the nature of the proposal and demand for the scheme.
ENDS
Comhairle na nÓg are local youth councils (aged 12-18) that give young people a voice on the development of local policies and services. They are the recognised national structure for participation by children and young people in decision-making in all 31 local authorities. They are supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) Comhairle na nÓg Development Fund and DCEDIY Participation Officers.