Further funding for Mullingar's youth projects

“Young people's confidence is the most important thing,” said Minister James Browne on his visit to the EYE Youth Diversion Project in Mullingar this morning.

Minister Browne, who has responsibility for Law Reform at the Department of Justice and Equality, was joined by Minister Robert Troy as they visited the centre in Columb Barracks today.

Youth Work Ireland Midlands run the project with the help of Music Generation Offaly Westmeath and it allows young people to learn, play and enjoy music together in a safe place within their community.

Development officer atMusic Generation Offaly Westmeath, Margaret Broome said: “We have had a great summer here so far.

“I think post Covid, everybody was so desperate to get out. We were going in and out of lockdowns but we managed to keep this going. The project really just gained momentum after that and our groups came back.”

This morning the youth workers led guests to various rooms around the barracks, where young musicians were ready and waiting to demonstrate their musical talents.

On the first stop, there was a group of young boys playing guitars, bass and drums with the help of their music teacher.

They performed ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams and blew everyone away.

In the next room a group of young trad players were preparing for their big performance at the Fleadh Cheoil on August 4.

The group performed two upbeat, traditional tunes using guitars, the banjo, bass and the bodhrán.

Geraldine Lacey, CEO of Youth Work Ireland Midlands, was smiling ear to ear when listening to the groups of young people play music.

Minister Browne said: “The enthusiasm and collaboration of the young people here is fantastic.

“I’ve seen so many youth diversion projects now and the main idea is to really thank all of the youth workers for all the work that they do because their dedication is just amazing and can really be reflected through the young people. They can see it.

“They’re relaxed, enjoying themselves and they’re learning skills.

“That's why it was easy to get additional funding from Michael McGrath (minister for public expenditure and reform) last October.

“He increased our overall funding by 35% which is a huge increase in a single year and I’m hoping to get that again this October.

“That's to allow more youth workers and more early intervention workers for all of these types of projects because you can clearly see the difference it is making for young people.

“Robert Troy has been a great help to that cause too. No one could get that type of funding without the help and backup of your colleagues, so it's great.”

EYE Mullingar received €73,245.96 in funding this year, which will allow them to extend their boundaries and ensure all of Westmeath is covered by Youth Justice services.

It will also allow for two further youth justice workers - one to work with harder-to-engage children, and another as an early intervention officer to work with children aged 8-11.

Minister Browne commented on the advantage of having the organisation based at Columb Barracks.

“The location is fantastic, it really is, look at the space here. But not only that, this is in Mullingar town centre.

“What that means is, no one owns it. The whole community owns it.

“That mix and interaction between different communities within the town is so important. You might not get that if this was on the outskirts of the town - it’s very important and Mullingar is lucky to have such a great location here.”

He mentioned that confidence building is the most important thing when working with young people.

He said it is essential for them to grow their confidence through what they do in youth programmes like EYE Mullingar.

“The whole idea here is to give young people the confidence and sense of belief that they have something to contribute to and that they can identify their own needs and wants.

“It's important that they have that confidence to go for it and youth diversion projects like this one here really helps.

“Learning instruments is growing their confidence and the fleadh will be fantastic for them too.”