Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
304. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth if youth participation and outcomes in youth services will be presented via an open data dashboard, scheme, county/ETB, demographics, updated annually or quarterly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13465/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra305. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the public facing dynamic map of youth services will launch; the way in which it will feed a national/local youth spaces policy with prioritisation criteria for underserved areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13466/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 305 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the department is currently progressing a national youth services mapping project, which is being developed to strengthen the evidence base for planning, funding and supporting youth services across the country, as well as to increase public awareness of the youth clubs and services available within local communities. This project consists of two distinct components, each serving a different purpose and audience.
Internal Data Dashboard (for departmental use): The first component is an internal dashboard, designed to support data-driven decision-making within the department. This dashboard will collate and present a range of key indicators, including:
• Central Statistics Office (CSO) demographic information for young people aged between 10-24;
• The Pobal Deprivation Index at Small Area level;
• Youth funding allocations per ETB;
• Youth service provision data, allowing for analysis by area, scheme and service type.
• All schools will be mapped on the internal dashboard as a dedicated layer, allowing easier comparison with local youth clubs and services; and,
• Travel-time analysis
This tool will enhance the department’s capacity to monitor participation, identify service gaps, and ensure resources are aligned with population needs and levels of disadvantage.
Public-Facing Interactive Website: The second element of the project is an outward-facing interactive website, which will be publicly accessible. This site is being developed to serve young people, parents and guardians, and the wider community. This will:
• List youth clubs, groups and services across the country;
• Allow users to explore what services are available within their local communities;
• Improve visibility, accessibility and awareness of youth service provision; and
• Support young people to more easily find opportunities to participate in youth work activities.
While the internal dashboard will support ongoing monitoring by the department, the public website will be updated periodically as new service information becomes available. It is intended that the public-facing map will be made accessible during 2026.
Youth participation data is collected separately from the datasets underpinning this mapping project. Participation figures are provided annually by each Education and Training Board (ETB) through their annual reports and form part of the department’s REV reporting on youth participation. This data is only available at a national aggregate level and is not disaggregated by county or by individual ETB.
