Taoiseach encourages youth clubs to avail of new grants

Anton McNulty

Youth clubs across the county have been encouraged by An Taoiseach to apply for funding worth €64,425 which has become available to the region.
The 2017 Local Youth Club Grant Scheme will see €64,425 allocated to the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board for local volunteer led youth groups. Youth groups and clubs across Mayo will soon be able to apply to the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (ETB) for funding under this scheme.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD, has encouraged local youth clubs to apply for grants which will be advertised by the ETB.
“Youth groups and clubs are undoubtedly an important part of the fabric of communities here in Mayo and must be supported. Thanks to our recovering economy, the Government was able to increase this year’s funding for youth clubs by 10 percent.  Fine Gael is determined to ensure that we target the benefits of our economic recovery at those who need it most.
 
Community benefits
“When we support youth groups, the whole community can benefit. The aim is to enhance the lives of our young people by developing their skills and talents and harnessing their energy in a positive way. This of course also benefits the wider communities in which these young people live,” he said.
The grants are under a new €1.17 million fund announced by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, TD and the scheme is open to approximately 1,600 youth groups and clubs, with an estimated 90,000 club members around the country.
“I strongly encourage as many Mayo youth groups and clubs to apply for this funding to ensure that our local communities can benefit. This year the Scheme is open to new clubs and applicants which have not benefitted in the past. So this could be a great opportunity for a new group to grow and expand.  I encourage clubs and groups to apply - no matter how new or small they are,” Mr Kenny said.
He added that youth clubs should get their applications ready and to keep an eye out on the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB website, mayosligoleitrim.etb.ie for application details.