Press release
Minister O’Gorman announces COVID-19 Supports for the Youth Sector
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
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman TD, has approved a grant to youth clubs and services as a contribution towards some of the additional costs arising from COVID-19 restrictions. Over 1,500 funded clubs and organisations can avail of €100 capital grant for small works or once-off purchases, and €100 current grant for consumables such as masks, gloves or deep cleaning. The total fund available is some €338,000 nationally.
While youth funding has continued during the period of COVID-19 restrictions, it is recognised that the pressures on youth services and clubs remain. Some once-off purchases, installations and consumable costs related to the pandemic response will have been incurred and may not be eligible for support from other funding sources.
The scheme is available to a funded organisation receiving UBU/targeted youth funds, Youth Information Centres funded by the Department, or a youth club in receipt of grant under the 2020 Local Youth Club Grant Scheme. The funding will be made available to clubs and organisations through their local Education and Training Board.
Updated Guidance for Youth Work Organisations
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has also today published updated Guidance for Youth Work Organisations. This guidance succeeds and replaces previous youth sector guidance and is prepared in the broader context of the Government’s Resilience & Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19.
The Department has again worked with a range of youth sector stakeholders to draw up this sector-specific guidance. The guidance is available here.
The Minister said:
“We know that young people have been hit hard by the Covid-19 restrictions, particularly in terms of mental health and wellbeing. We also know the important role that youth services are playing in responding to that.
“I am pleased therefore to issue new guidance for youth work organisations in light of the Government’s ‘Resilience and Recovery’ plan announced on Tuesday. I would like to recognise the support of our Youth Sector Oversight Group in helping us produce this guidance, and I hope that it provides clarity and assurance to organisations and projects delivering invaluable services to our young people.
He further added:
“I am also delighted to be able to make this contribution towards the costs being experienced by clubs and organisations funded by my Department. My Department has taken a pragmatic approach to funding and the sector has responded in positive and innovative ways. I am grateful to youth workers on the ground, club volunteers, youth officers, the ETBs and national youth organisations for keeping momentum going in these unique and challenging times.”
ENDS
Under the COVID-19 Small Grant Schemes, eligible spend is expenditure that is of a once-off capital nature or consumable items directly related to responding to the impact of the pandemic. It is expenditure that has been incurred since the start of restrictions in March, is not already funded by the Exchequer, and is invoiced and/or vouched before 31 December 2020.