Youth funding - Not a cent spent on youth needs

A YEAR ago today the Government promised to plough €37 million over the next five years into youth development - but not a cent has yet been spent.

Admittedly, Junior Education Minister Síle de Valera has allocated €620,000 to this year’s programme but no money has yet filtered down to those who need it.

Fine Gael criticism of the minister is warranted since a large part of this budget targeted the 200,000 disadvantaged teenagers most likely to get involved in crime.

As evidenced by our chilling reports of recent days, there is an urgent need to fund youth activities, particularly on the margins of society.

Targeted at VECs, local and regional youth clubs, and the National Youth Council, the funding is entirely separate from the nearly €30m allocated for the day-to-day running of youth organisations.

The Government should honour its commitment to young people by funding the youth development plan gathering dust on the coalition’s broad shelf.