€311,170 in funding has been announced for Youth Diversion Projects in Waterford to assist them in supporting young people through education, training and personal development.
The funding is part of a broader €6.7m fund which will go towards providing Youth Diversion Projects in every county in Ireland following on from the Youth Diversion Strategy 2021-2027 which outlines the need for 105 such projects nationally.
The funding announced today will go towards appointing family support workers, working with harder-to-engage children and the establishment of early intervention services.
The Waterford projects are:
• Boundary Extension DAY Dungarvan Waterford €10,000.00
• Early Intervention DAY Dungarvan Waterford €59,517.00
• Boundary Extension PACT Ferrybank Waterford €58,362.00
• Family Support SWAY Waterford Waterford €59,461.00
• Boundary Extension TYRE Tramore Waterford €65,842.00
• Early Intervention BALL Lisduggan Waterford €57,988.00
Speaking after the announcement, Waterford Green Party TD, Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh said:
“I’m very pleased to see this funding for Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) in Waterford which will have a very significant impact on the young people it will assist but also their families and the wider communities. As a former Primary School teacher, I am very aware of the benefits of early intervention and the need for family support workers and specific resources for harder-to-engage children. Youth Diversion Projects in Waterford and nationally support vulnerable young people and their families and have a positive impact on the young people they work with as well as the people around them.”
“The Department for Justice aims that every every child in the state who would benefit from access to a Youth Diversion Project will have access to one within the next two years. The funding for boundary extensions allows for current YDPs to expand their boundaries to serve more young people and a further €780,000 will be used for the establishment of new YDPs nationally. Investing in our young people must continue to be a priority for this government as we know the benefits of supporting vulnerable young people at an early age”.
“The funding announced today will see projects in Tramore, Lisduggan, Dungarvan and Ferrybank receive extra support. Some of this support will see existing services offered to young people in smaller towns and villages such as Lismore, Cappoquin, Ardmore, Aglish, Tallow, Dunmore East, Passage East, Bunmahon, Kilmacthomas, Portlaw and Lemybrien. This will bring benefits to young people throughout the city and county developing resilience, pro-social attitudes and behaviour, positive choices, self-esteem, educational attainment and personal and social skills.”
