Kieran McCarthy MLA said: “It is vitally important that funding continues to be provided by the Department of Agriculture for Young Farmers’ Clubs in Northern Ireland. Their excellent work is very important as the organisation gives a lot back to the community and also helps in the development of young people.
“The amount of funding needed to safeguard these clubs is relatively small and to cut this cash would be a disgrace. Rural communities have faced and are facing too many cuts already, so this proposed move is simply unacceptable.
“The Young Farmers’ Clubs provide an important resource for young people in rural areas. In towns and cities, people have the provision of youth clubs and many sports facilities, so it would be deeply unfair to remove this cash. We need equality for our young people across Northern Ireland and that means ensuring people in rural areas have the same provisions as those in urban areas.”
ENDS