Press release: Further €1.75m to be provided in 2013 for youth cafés, youth projects and play recreation initiatives

Frances Fitzgerald T.D Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has today announced details of funding for €500,000 to 8 youth projects around the country to support the development of Youth Cafés for young people.

The projects selected are eight new youth cafés who had originally applied under the original Youth Café scheme in 2010. This latest round of funding builds on the €1.7m previously provided, under which a total of 75 projects have already received funding.

Minister Fitzgerald was speaking in the Dáil where she confirmed that a further €1.75m would be provided by her Department later this year for youth cafés, youth projects and play recreation initiatives,

Minister Fitzgerald stated: “My Department and I have actively supported the nationwide development of youth café facilities given the considerable benefits they offer for young people to meet in safe drug and alcohol free spaces.”

“As Minister I have been delighted to officially open many of these new facilities and I hope that the funding being announced today, along with the additional funding being provided for 2013, will allow for the opening of many more youth cafés in communities across the country.”

Commenting on the additional funding for 2013, Minister Fitzgerald said that €1.5million would be provided for youth cafes and youth projects with €250,000 for play and recreation initiatives. Further details regarding the application processes for the 2013 funding schemes will be made available by the Department of Children & Youth Affairs over the coming weeks.