Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
354. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide for additional youth services in south Kildare given the county's fast-growing young population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41107/26]
View answerThe department is dedicated to enhancing the delivery and development of youth work services and opportunities for young people across the country.
Funding for the provision of targeted youth services is administered on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth by education and training boards (ETBs), which allocate funding via applications to the UBU Your Place Your Space (UBU) scheme. This scheme is aimed at young people between the ages of 10 and 24 who are, or are at risk of becoming disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable.
Over €53 million has been allocated to the UBU scheme in 2026. The scheme provides funding to 258 targeted youth services across the 16 ETB areas.
Key to achieving the aims of the scheme is the development of the Area Profile and Needs Assessment Tool. The purpose of this tool is to allow each ETB to avail of quantitative and qualitative information to objectively identify the needs of young people within their functional area. This analysis leads to the development of a Service Requirement which is then used as the basis for discussion between ETBs and service providers in terms of service delivery to meet the needs of young people in the area. This approach ensures that we can target funding and supports to the young people most in need of intervention and that funding is allocated based on evidence-informed need. ETBs are currently preparing this information ahead of the commencement of Cycle 3 of the UBU scheme which will run from 2027-2029.
In Budget 2025 funding was secured by the department for the establishment of 10 new UBU services, with one of the successful services to be located in Newbridge/Morristownbiller.
The ETBs also provide funding to local volunteer-led groups from the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme.
Any proposed service in the South Kildare area wishing to apply for funding should liaise with Kildare and Wicklow ETB in the first instance.
