Cllr Cathal Rasmussen urges youth groups to avail of capital grants

Cobh Labour Councillor, Cathal Rasmussen, is urging local youth groups to avail of a €0.5m capital funding for small to medium capital grants to youth projects in disadvantaged communities in 2014.

The grants, which were announced on Monday, will be available for the up-grade or replacement of equipment, for example, computer/software updates, sports equipment, multi-media equipment, furnishing upgrades. Details of the scheme and how to apply are on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs website at www.dcya.gov.ie.

Cllr. Rasmussen stated: “I am very pleased to have this funding available to provide to youth services which do vital work in some of the more disadvantaged communities in our society. The money will assist in improving the quality of the services and their facilities to the benefit of young people involved.”

Cllr. Cathal Rasmussen praised the commitment of the many volunteers involved in assisting and managing youth projects throughout the country. This voluntary effort, combined with the professionalism and dedication of youth service employees, makes a significant contribution to the ensuring the lives of young people are enhanced and improved through the services offered by youth projects. The aim of this capital funding scheme is to provide much needed assistance to youth projects to improve the facilities and equipment available for their work with young people in their communities.

The Capital funding scheme for small to medium capital grants is open to applications from Department of Children and Youth Affairs funded projects under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme (SPY), Youth Information Centres (YICs), Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF) and Local Drugs Task Force (LDTF) (21 mainstreamed projects). As a once-off exceptional measure the scheme is also open to a number of national youth organisations.

The grant scheme also calls for applications in early 2015 for capital projects related to health and safety improvements to premises (e.g., improved access for young people with disabilities; fire doors) and/or upgrade or refurbishment of premises (e.g. window replacements; heating upgrades).

Full details of the scheme and contact addresses for Education and Training Boards are available on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs website at www.dcya.gov.ie.