This article is from page 4 of the 2012-03-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
GOVERNMENT cutbacks in youth services that are set to be implemented over the next three years now means that frontline services provided throughout the county by the Clare Youth Service will be closed.
That’s the warning that has been issued by both the chairman and chief executive of the Clare Youth Service, as they front up a new fundraising campaign to try and stave off the forced closure of key services that will be brought on by budget cuts.
These fears for the future of Clare Youth Service operations have been sounded out in a letter, secured by The Clare People this week, in which chairman Michael Byrne and chief executive Margaret Slattery launched their appeal to members of the public to row in behind a fundraising campaign for youth services throughout Clare.
“We’ve responded to the cutbacks of recent years by pay reductions, restructuring and changing the way we work. This has helped us maintain core services,” the letter outlining the current financial well-being of Clare Youth Service states.
“However, we’ve now been informed of the scale of cuts to our grants up to 2015. There will be more significant reductions each year to the extend that internal savings will not allow us to maintain a reasonable level of service.
“Unless alternative income in generated, frontline services will close,” it adds.
Clare Youth Service has a huge network of services throughout the county, providing 68 projects in 25 locations for up to 3,000 young people between the ages of 12 and 25.
Clare Youth Service had its beginnings in 1969 when it was established as Clare Regional Youth Council. Over the years it has changed and developed to become a leader in the field of youth services.
The range of services includes youth clubs, certified training, music projects, youth cafés and education programmes.
To ensure that services can be maintained, people around the county are being asked to become “a patron or a friend” of Clare Youth Service.
“Individuals and companies can become a patron for a donation of € 50 or become a friend for € 20. There is no ongoing commitment. Friends will receive a car sticker, whilst patrons will receive a certificate for their premises or home in addition to the sticker,” the letter adds.