Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
536. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of the timeline for the release of the specific breakdown of the budget allocations for her Department overall; the breakdown of the timeline for the release of the specific breakdown of the budget allocations for youth affairs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6136/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) for 2026 has now been published, providing for a total allocation of €12.996 billion for the Department of Education and Youth. As part of this, the Youth Affairs Unit has been allocated an increase of €8 million in current and capital expenditure.
While the high-level allocations are confirmed, a specific timeline for the release of the final detailed breakdown of the Youth Affairs schemes and programmes is not yet available. Work is continuing within the department to finalise these finer-level allocations, and they will be issued as soon as possible.
The Youth Affairs Unit has recently written to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and National Youth Organisations to update them on the current funding position. As outlined in the communication, organisations may continue to draw down funding based on their 2025 Quarter 1 allocations in the interim. This ensures continuity of service delivery until the 2026 allocation letters have issued.
While the department is not yet in a position to provide a definitive timeline for the publication of the full breakdown of budget allocations across all youth affairs funding lines, I wish to assure the Deputy that this work is being progressed as a priority. The department will share the relevant information with the sector as soon as it becomes available.
