Youth services need proper funds structure to help vulnerable teenagers
While youth organisations have benefited from increased funding from the National Lottery, the year-by-year allocation of these monies is very unsatisfactory. Youth organisations believe such an approach to funding illustrates the lack of commitment and support by the State to young people. Youth organisations I have spoken to would like to see funding made secure over the next three or four years to allow for planning, development and evaluation.
Lack of security in funding could lead to job losses and the curtailment of services throughout the country. In many cases the local youth organisation provides many young people with a self-development lifeline.
A planned approach is required by the Government to ensure the various organisations continue the very important role they play in voicing the priorities of our young people. The year-by-year allocation allows only for a patchwork implementation of services.
Many teenagers as young as 16 find themselves searching for a job without specific training and are vulnerable to the back economy — often they are faced with no option but to emigrate.
Thousands of them have left this country without proper skills for the labour markets in Britain and the US. In some cases, they end up living in sub-human conditions without a job.
The Government’s response is to provide minuscule funding to Irish welfare and advice centres where dedicated but underfunded staff attempt to deal with great numbers of young people who desperately need practical help.
Additional funding from Ireland is needed by these centres to help our young people when the need arises.
The Government must provide a legislative base for the youth service — this would result in a permanent stable framework from which services could develop. It would, once and for all,remove all the uncertainties.
Cllr Noel Collins
‘St Jude’s’
Midleton
Co Cork
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