Community groups set to receive almost €80,000 in funding boost

By Aisha Bolaji

CLOSE to €80,000 is on its way to three community groups in Tallaght and Clondalkin, with the funding boost set to provide support, services and enjoyment to local teens and children, reports Aisha Bolaji.

In the mix locally is the Killinarden Community Council, which will receive €12,000 to purchase sports and kitchen equipment, €19,000 is going to Dublin YMCA in Brookfield to buy educational games and IT equipment, and Ronanstown Youth Centre in Clondalkin is receiving €48,000 for extensive refurbishment work.

Confirming the local funding of €79,000, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, said: “Youth projects provide vital services to our communities in South and West Dublin, which continues to contain some of the youngest populations in the country.

“This money is being targeted at small-scale works which can have a big impact in terms of providing support, services and enjoyment.”

The Independent Dublin South West TD also stressed how supporting youth projects and programmes in local areas provides “a positive alternative to teens hanging around street corners where they can fall into anti-social behaviour”.

Minister Zappone concluded that she has called for the funding to be made available as quickly as possible.

The €79,000 en route to Tallaght and Clondalkin is part of a capital funding package of €1.98 million, which is being distributed across 86 youth projects nationally.