Services for children in Tallaght to receive over €1.75m this year

By Mary Dennehy

SERVICES for children and young people in Tallaght, which have a strong focus on supporting children at risk of substance abuse, will receive more than €1.75 million this year – a funding increase of €83,000 on 2016.

The provision, which is being provided by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, will be distributed to 15 services under the funding allocations of €710,000 for Special Projects for Youth, €920,000 for children at risk of substance abuse, and €125,000 for projects linked to the Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force.

Targeting Tallaght communities with the youngest populations, the funding of €1.75m includes services such as the Killinarden, Fettercairn, Brookfield and St Mark’s community centres, Tallaght Youth Service, Tallaght Traveller Youth Service, CARP (Community Addiction Response Programme) and St Aengus Neighbourhood Watch.

Announcing the funding, Dublin South West TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone said the extra €83,000 for Tallaght projects is the first step in “reversing the cutbacks” in recent years.

In figures seen by The Echo, all of the services listed have received varying increases on their 2016 allocation.

She said: “Vibrant sports, arts and youth support services are very important to ensure our young people live active and healthy lives.

“The increases which have been secured are significant and give each service an opportunity not only to protect its existing work but also to reach out to support more children and teenagers.”

She added: “Our local youth services are amongst the best in the country as the result of committed and passionate volunteers, workers and leaders.

“They are transforming young lives and preventing our young people from falling into anti-social behaviour or even worse into the grasp of the merciless drugs trade.”

The €1.75m in funding was made available through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, which will in the coming weeks confirm increased funding for national organisations that are also active in Tallaght communities, such as the FAI, Scouting Ireland and the National Youth Council.