Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
952. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason employer pension contributions are not included in eligible costs for the youth service grant scheme pilot; whether she agrees that pension costs should be included as an eligible cost given that youth work is experiencing a recruitment and retention crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2641/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for the question. The scheme rules and guidance documentation for the Youth Services Grant Scheme pilot which opened in 2024 do not exclude pension costs as possible staff costs. It is a matter for applicant organisations to identify the staff costs necessary to their application. As the Deputy may be aware, the applicant organisations are the employers and determine the terms and conditions offered to staff.
In recognition of the need for continued investment in young people and the youth sector, my Department has secured a 9% increase in youth service funding for 2025, bringing my Department's investment under our main youth budget subhead to a total of €84.9 million. This funding will strengthen the ability of youth organisations to meet present challenges, including challenges of recruitment and retention of staff.
