Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2026
831. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide details of supports or funding available for a 2026 youth summer programme in Cork (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42232/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe department funds a number of schemes aimed at supporting youth services throughout the country. Of these, the largest scheme is UBU Your Place Your Space (UBU), which targets young people aged between 10 and 24 identified as marginalised, vulnerable and at risk of not flourishing. The scheme funds 258 targeted youth services across the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs).
Over €53 million has been allocated to the UBU scheme in 2026. Funding provided under the UBU scheme has increased by over €10 million, or 24%, over the period 2021 to 2025. Over €3.9 million of the UBU budget has been allocated to Cork Education and Training Board in its capacity as grant-administering body of the scheme.
The UBU funding allocation for Project in question for the period 2024 to 2026 is set out below:
|
Funded Org. |
2024 UBU Funding |
2025 UBU Funding |
2026 UBU Funding |
|
The Hut Youth Project |
€136,951 |
€143,114 |
€147,407 |
In addition, targeted initiatives such as the Summer Holiday Meals Pilot Programme, introduced in 2025 and continued in 2026, provide further support to UBU-funded services. The programme enables participating youth services to provide a hot or substantial meal to young people attending during June, July and August. This initiative is aimed at engaging young people who may be at risk of not having consistent access to nutritious meals during school closure periods, while also supporting their continued participation in summer youth programmes.
I understand that the Project referred to by the Deputy did not apply to avail of the Summer Meals Provision for the summer months of 2026.
In line with their mid-level governance role, ETBs act as the primary point of contact for services in relation to any additional or supplementary funding requests.
