To ask the Minister of Education how his Department supports uniformed youth groups.

My department provides support to uniformed youth groups through the Education Authority’s Youth Service Grant aid assistance to local and regional uniformed organisations across Northern Ireland as part of the Funding Scheme for Regional and Local Voluntary Youth Organisations.

Local uniformed organisations who are registered with the Education Authority can apply for “Generic/Non-Targeted” funding annually. The amount funded is between £800-£3,000 per group, depending on the number of young people attending and hours of operation.

Generic/Non-targeted funding is available to all registered voluntary youth organisations who deliver programmes on a volunteer staff basis and funding can be used to make a contribution to curriculum delivery, insurance and heat/light overheads.

Representatives from uniformed groups are invited to attend Local Advisory Group meetings, which take place 6 times per year.

Regional Headquarter organisations can apply for Regional Strategic Funding (Up to £150k per annum), Regional Project Funding (Up to £50k per annum) and Regional Development Funding (funding dependent on the need). The Regional Strategic Funding provides uniformed headquarter bodies with resources to support their local units in the areas of governance; curriculum; representation and collaboration; workforce development; safeguarding and child protection; quality assurance; and youth work outcomes.

In addition, the Regional Development Funding has been provided to uniformed headquarter organisations to support the recruitment, retention and development of their volunteers locally.