22/02/2019

€11.1m Exceptional Safeguarding Funding Announced

National youth organisations in Ireland are to benefit from more than €11 million Exceptional Safeguarding Funding, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone.

National youth organisations are receiving an increase of at least 2.5% after the Minister secured additional youth funding in the Budget. The funding ensures the continued promotion, growth and development of these organisations for young people.

Making the announcement Minister Zappone said: "The work being carried out with children and teenagers in local communities is transforming lives.

"Through sport, theatre, the arts as well as essential support services youth workers and volunteers are giving our young people skills for the future.

"In addition they are providing an alternative to anti-social behaviour, crime and drugs.

"As Minister I have seen the work at first hand throughout the country. I am asking each organisation to ensure that the funding is used to impact on as many young people as possible.  Officials in my Department work side by side with the national youth organisations and we are always on the look-out for new ways to engage with more young people."

Addressing Scouting Ireland specifically, Minister Zappone added: "I share the huge concerns of parents about the safeguarding issues at Scouting Ireland. As Minister I will never compromise on child-safety and it is essential that the shortfalls which have been identified are addressed.

"Extra exceptional funding of over €200,000 has been made available to Scouting Ireland on the strictest understanding that it will be solely used to staff its safeguarding office.

"The Review of Scouting Ireland completed by Jillian van Turnhout last year recommended that a coherent safeguarding structure is appropriately resourced within Scouting Ireland.

"I want to be clear Scouting Ireland still has work to do. My officials continue to monitor developments within the organisation to ensure all safeguarding and child protection standards are met."

Minister Zappone concluded: "The continuation of funding to Scouting Ireland is linked to the successful implementation of the recommendations contained in the Review of Scouting Ireland."

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

05 March 2010
HBO Fantasy Epic For North
Fantasy filmmaking is on the way to Belfast. Northern Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and Culture and Arts Minister, Nelson McCausland have confirmed, that the series, Game of Thrones will be filmed in Northern Ireland.
28 September 2018
Minister For Children Expresses 'Grave Concerns' Over Scouting Ireland
Scouting Ireland will receive no state funding "for as long as the current Board of Directors remains in place" amid concerns of their handling of a rape allegation. Earlier this year a female Scout leader alleged that she had been raped by a male Scout leader while on a scouting trip seven years earlier when she was 18.
24 November 2015
'Ireland 2016' Launches In UK
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan has launched 'Ireland 2016', a "busy and exciting programme of creative, community and commemorative events to take place in Britain to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising and historical events of 1916".
03 October 2013
Minister Reilly Unveils Plan To Make Ireland 'Tobacco Free'
Minister for Health James Reilly has revealed his plan to make Ireland tobacco-free by 2025. Some 60 recommendations that aim to eliminate smoking have been published in a report by the Tobacco Policy Review Group, called 'Tobacco Free Ireland'.
16 November 2011
Prison Symbols 'Resignation Threat' Recedes
A growing crisis over the possible removal of the British Crown and other symbols from the North's Prison Service seems to have subsided overnight with a clarification from the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford that "no decisions have been taken in relation to symbols in prisons".