Local politicians say that Minister Katherine Zappone has confirmed that the youth work service provided by Youth Work Ireland in County Roscommon and East Galway will continue uninterrupted over the summer months.
There were concerns raised following the award of a new contract for youth work services in the Galway/Roscommon catchment that no service would be provided over the next four months, but clarity has now been provided through Galway Roscommon Education & Training Board (GRETB) to Minister Zappone that this service will continue uninterrupted.
Deputy Denis Naughten: “This is the second time in recent years that there have been changes to the delivery of youth services in the area and I have pointed out to both Minister Zappone and the Chief Executive of GRETB, Mr. David Leahy, that such chopping and changing is undermining the valuable service needed in East Galway and Roscommon.
“I have, as a result, requested that the Education & Training Board engage with the youth service providers to ensure that they have regard of the need for a continuity of the staff working with young people in the area” concluded Denis Naughten.
Deputy Eugene Murphy said that he had raised this matter in the Dáil last week with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. He was now pleased that there is no threat to the service, commenting: “Well done to all the young people who protested against this. I was glad to join with the many young people to highlight this issue in the Dáil”.
Deputy Murphy said that GRETB has confirmed that it will continue to fund youth services in County Roscommon until the end of September 2019. The funding, which amounts to just over €57,000 for July, August and September, will be drawn down from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) in order to ensure continuity of service.
