Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
1144. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress being made to resource a new UBU-funded youth service covering the areas of Citywest, Saggart and Rathcoole; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74818/25]
View answerThe Department is dedicated to enhancing the delivery and development of youth work services and opportunities for young people across the country, including in the Citywest, Saggart and Rathcoole area.
In Budget 2025, €1.2 million was secured to provide for the establishment of ten new UBU services across the country which will provide targeted youth worker-led support for up to 1,000 young people.
Each ETB was invited to make a submission for a new UBU service in their functional area utilising available demographic data. As part of this process Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB submitted a proposal for a new service in the Citywest, Saggart and Rathcoole area.
The ten new UBU services were selected based on a competitive assessment process. The successful education and training boards (ETBs) have now completed their call for service and have provided the Department with confirmation of the youth organisations selected to establish and deliver these new services in the selected areas. Whilst the need for UBU youth services was demonstrated in all submissions, funding was allocated based on the results of the assessment process.
Following this process, the ten ETBs awarded funding for a new UBU service are as follows:
Cavan and Monaghan ETB;
Donegal ETB;
Kerry ETB;
Kildare and Wicklow ETB;
Kilkenny and Carlow ETB;
Laois and Offaly ETB;
Longford and Westmeath ETB;
Louth and Meath ETB;
Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB; and
Tipperary ETB.
The Department is currently engaging with Dublin and Dún Laoghaire on how best to support the young people in the Citywest and Saggart area.
