Ind. TD, Michael Lowry
Independent T.D., Deputy Michael Lowry has welcomed the decision by Independent politician & Minister for Children, M/s Katherine Zappone, to implement new programmes designed to meet the needs of vulnerable young people within South Tipperary.
Deputy Lowry complimented Tipperary Education and Training Board and South Tipperary Community Youth Service for their excellent work in compiling data and information, to underpin their successful applications. He also acknowledged Coolmore for taking initiatives on this matter and for their outstanding contribution and commitment to the overall project.
Projects designated for the Fethard/Killenaule area will commence immediately with the enhancement of services at Fethard Youth Centre, Main Street, Fethard and the Old VEC Premises/Youth Centre, Killenaule. Services will be co-located between both neighbouring towns, providing a targeted response for approximately 30 – 40 young people. Same will greatly assist in addressing for such issues and needs as substance abuse; mental health difficulties and the provision of support to access further education, training and employment.
An ‘Operational Grant’ of €26,600 has now been sanctioned and will cover the period from now until December 2016. Financial provision has also been made to fund this programme for 2017.
Fethard is also under consideration for Capital Funding of €96,000 for Capital Works – which will include €70,000 for renovations to its premises and €26,000 for the provision of necessary furniture and equipment.
Killenaule will come under consideration for a capital grant of €38,700 – €28,000 in respect of renovations to its building, together with €10,700 also for the provision of necessary furniture and equipment.
It is now the intention of Minister Zappone to formally distribute this capital fund which has been made available to her, very shortly.
The town of Cahir will also now benefit from a new funded service. The Minister has authorised a new service for the town, situated at Cahir Youth Centre, with an operational fund of €31,242 to cover the period up to December of 2016.
A decision will be made shortly with regard to a further application for €18,000 in grant aid for a fit-out of this same Youth Centre, with regard to equipment and furniture, with financial provision again to fund this project into 2017. This same project is expected to provide a targeted response for up to 40 young people in Cahir town, focusing again on the identified needs of young people aged 10 – 24 years, through one-to-one support and development, through group activities.
“Young people identified as being at particular risk of isolation will benefit significantly from engagement with these Youth Work Services”, stated Deputy Lowry.
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