Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2024
52. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he and his Department have mapped the existence of youth focused community projects and staff across the State; if they are aware of gaps in coverage or large and populous areas without or with inadequately resourced projects; and if so, how they intend to resolve this. [20945/24]
View answerI recognise the need for improved data in respect of the distribution of youth work services across the State and this is an area of priority for my officials. A mapping process is currently underway which aims to capture all youth services, both youth worker led and volunteer led.
The first stage of the mapping project to map the 252 projects funded through the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme, which provides targeted youth services to young people who are disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable, is being finalised. The mapping project has now been expanded to include the mapping of youth work services funded through other schemes, including the Youth Services Grant Scheme and the local youth club grant scheme.
This mapping exercise will help to identify gaps in youth service provision and enable my Department and stakeholders to develop proposals to expand youth service provision where necessary. The mapping exercise will also provide information to young people, their parents and teachers on youth services which are available in their communities.
From 2020 to Budget 2024, Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes increased from €61.8 million to €77.95 million, a 26% increase overall.
The funding made available for capital investment in youth services under the National Development Plan for the period 2021- 2023 was €3 million in 2021, €2.7 million in 2022 and a further €2.7 million in 2023. This funding supported small grants which enabled the purchase of essential equipment and the completion of minor works.
My Department is currently carrying out a mapping exercise of youth services sector, which will map out the premises currently used for youth services and help to identify gaps and shortfalls in the availability of spaces for youth services. This analysis is necessary to enable the Department to determine how best to direct capital funding over the period ahead.
