Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
174. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can provide an update on the review of UBU scheme; the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10938/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUBU Your Place Your Space (UBU) is the largest youth services scheme funded by the Department of Education and Youth (DEY) targeting young people aged between 10 to 24 who are identified as marginalised, vulnerable and at risk of not flourishing. The UBU scheme now provides funding to 258 targeted youth services across the 16 education and training boards (ETBs) that coordinate delivery of funding to the services in their local ETB areas. Over €53 million has been allocated to the UBU scheme in 2026.
Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services (Opportunities for Youth) is the strategic framework for the youth work sector, published in September 2024. The strategy aims to build awareness of youth services, strengthen youth services, and ensure that youth services remain accessible and of value to young people across Ireland.
Under Action 8 of Opportunities for Youth, work has begun on a review of the UBU scheme. The review will assess how the scheme operates, the extent to which the scheme is meeting its objectives, and whether the processes and procedures that underpin the scheme are fit for purpose.
The Youth Affairs unit is currently engaging with the Business Process Improvement (BPI) unit in DEY and an initial scoping exercise on the schemes processes is underway. As part of this process, the BPI intends to engage with education and training boards (ETBs) and youth service providers for their input into the scheme’s operations. It is expected that this part of the review will be completed in the coming months and will inform next steps.
Separately, consideration is being given to the review of the more qualitative aspects of the UBU scheme, and it is planned that this work will commence in 2026.
