Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2026
545. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the publication of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026 to 2030 period, when she will develop a national policy on youth spaces and facilities; if she will provide a timeline for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8320/26]
View answer546. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the publication of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026 to 2030 period, when she will advance the development of a multi-annual capital investment pipeline to support new and existing youth spaces, working in collaboration with relevant Departments and agencies including local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8321/26]
View answer547. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the publication of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026 to 2030, the reason for the low level of funding for youth services given the increasing importance and need for youth places and spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8322/26]
View answer554. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the publication of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026–2030, when she expects to progress the development of a multi-annual capital investment programme to support both new and existing youth spaces, including coordination with relevant departments, agencies, and local authorities; her views that the €20 million for youth services is sufficient to develop new youth services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8376/26]
View answer555. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the publication of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026–2030, the number of youth services she anticipates that €20 million across the period will realistically delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8377/26]
View answer556. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth in the context of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026–2030, if she will address concerns regarding the comparatively low allocation of funding for youth services despite growing demand and the recognised need for dedicated youth places and spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8378/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 545, 546, 547, 554, 555 and 556 together.
I was pleased to announce that, arising from Budget 2026, an additional €8 million in current and capital funding has been allocated to support the sustainability and development of youth services. Funding secured in Budget 2026 will support the implementation of Opportunities for Youth, National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024-2028.
This funding increase brings the overall core current and capital funding available to support existing youth services and infrastructure to €94.1 million for 2026, a 9.3% increase on the corresponding funding available in 2025. This investment strengthens the foundation for inclusive, high-quality provision - ensuring continuity, expanding reach, and enabling services to respond to the evolving needs of Ireland’s diverse youth population.
Capital funding of €4.0 million will be available to support youth organisations and youth services in 2026, representing a significant increase of €3.5 million compared to the 2025 allocation. This capital funding will enable targeted investment in essential upgrades to youth facilities, equipment, and digital infrastructure in a modern youth work environment to ensure safe, modern and inclusive spaces for young people. All capital investment in the youth sector will be aligned with the National Development Plan framework and forms part of the department’s approach to long-term infrastructure planning and service development. This marks the first time that the youth sector has had clear visibility and certainty regarding capital funding over a multi-year period. Establishing a defined capital envelope under the National Development Plan provides a more stable and predictable basis for planning, allowing youth organisations, education and training boards to prepare projects in a structured and strategic way. It also supports better value for money and more coherent long-term development of youth facilities nationally.
The approach to capital funding distribution and use in the youth sector in 2026 through to the conclusion of the 2030 National Development Plan funding cycle is currently being developed and the department will engage with the sector on same in due course.
It is important to take a strategic approach to developing youth spaces at local level, and this is reflected in Opportunities for Youth: The National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services. Action 10 of the strategy commits my Department and strategic partners to the development of a policy for youth spaces and facilities. Action 13 focuses on ensuring the provision of appropriate indoor and outdoor infrastructure through wider community development schemes.
These policy actions were shaped by consultations with young people, where access to suitable premises was identified as a critical issue. The strategy promotes the better use of existing facilities within each education and training board area and prioritises the identification of new spaces where there is proven need.
The strategy emphasises the importance of both maximising the use of existing facilities within each ETB area and identifying new youth spaces where there is demonstrable need. This is complemented by a balanced and modern approach that recognises that not all youth work takes place within fixed premises. Outreach, detached youth work, and digital and hybrid formats are essential in reaching diverse groups of young people, including those who may not engage with traditional centre-based services.
