Government allocated funds for the Youth and Sport's Ministry this year.

The Bermuda Olympic Association received a $344,000 grant in this year's Budget, nearly four times last year's $87,000.

And Government allocated $398,000 to the after school programmes budget to support special needs children.

The department is expected to hire 27 paraprofessionals "to provide a support staff ratio of 1:1 for special needs children,'' said Finance Minister Eugene Cox.

The Ministry of Finance granted some $1.2 million to sports development organisations.

The largest development grant went to the National Sports Centre for $222,000 and the smallest to Can. Centre Ethic and Chess Associations at $1,000 each.

The following groups were dropped from the grant list: Agency Heritage, Basketball, Darts, Hockey, Riding for the Disabled, Special Olympic and Yachting Associations as well as Devonshire Colts, National Junior Athletic, Project 11 Won, Sandys Youth Club and Willow Cuts Cricket Club.

The following groups joined the grant list: Bowling, Jr. Golf, Martial Arts, Power Boat and Sailing Associations as well as Can. Centre Ethic, Navy Hanger and The Writers Machine.

Government gave $1.3 million in grants to youth organisations, adding three new youth groups to the grant list: Bermuda National Jazz, Operation Up Lift and Up With People.

Bermuda National Education and Community Youth Exchange were dropped from the list.

The Fast Forward voluntary youth programme received $23,000 less than last year.