Zappone to view major €1.5m youth initiatives in Limerick

THE MINISTER for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone will spend two days in the city to visit youth projects which are receiving €1.5m investment from her Department, this year.

This Thursday and Friday, the Minister will visit University of Limerick, Thomond RFC, the Limerick Youth Service, and members of the Southill community.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Dublin South-West TD said: “With one of the youngest populations in the country Limerick city is at a region high on my agenda. I look forward to seeing at first hand the impact of the €1.5m my office is investing in local projects with young people, this year.

“I want to see on the ground how that funding is being translated into actions which benefit children and their families in terms of sport, the arts and learning. It is my hope that this funding is transforming young lives and communities.”

The Minister will meet students of Corpus Christi National School, Thomond Primary School and Gaelscoil Sáirseal.

She will also be briefed on progress of the development of the Southside Education Campus.

“My visit to UL will also be used to confirm a ground-breaking research project between experts there and my Department. They will be looking at how and why children and young people get trapped into crime, why they repeat offend and what are the best ways to help them restart their lives,” she stated. 

In addition to viewing the Government’s current investments, the Minister will launch a new National Research Project, to help prevent children and young people from “falling into a life of crime”.