In Budget 2020 my Department was allocated €61.789 million in funding to support the provision of youth services nationwide. This funding has been maintained and has enabled the youth sector to continue to provide supports to young people, particularly to marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable young people, throughout the current period of Covid-19 restrictions.
The largest share of youth funding directly supports the delivery of targeted youth services on the ground, with €38.8 million provided to funded organisations through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) countrywide.
National Youth Organisations are benefiting from over €11.5 million in universal funding for 2020 under the Youth Services Grant Scheme. The work carried out by the national youth organisations, through volunteer led groups and clubs, is transformative for young people and is supported through this scheme.
Funding of over €4.1 million is being made available to the 16 ETBs around the country in relation to their governance role and their work supporting youth services.
Funding of over €2.1 million has been made available for the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme this year. This scheme supports youth work activities at a local level by providing small grants to youth clubs and groups.
I was delighted to announce recently that UBU - Your Place, Your Space is on track to meet its formal starting date of 1 July 2020. This reflects the commitment of funded organisations and the ETBs to meeting the scheme timeframes in the context of Covid-19 restrictions, which is to be commended. UBU - Your Place, Your Space provides for services that support young people to develop the personal and social skills required to improve their life chances. The scheme will support young people who are marginalised, disadvantaged, or vulnerable.
The table below outlines the breakdown as requested by the Deputy:
Budget for 2020
|
|
Targeted Youth Funding Scheme, Revised Youth Funding Scheme (up to 30 June) and from 1 July: UBU Your Place Your Space
|
€38.8 million
|
Youth Services Grant Scheme
|
€11.56 million
|
Youth Information Centres
|
€1.3 million
|
Youth Work Function and Technical Assistance
|
€4.1 million
|
Local Youth Club Grants Scheme
|
€2.107 million
|
New Initiatives and other funding streams
|
€0.48 million
|
LGBTI+ Strategy
|
€0.5 million
|
Miscellaneous, incl Policy and Support Programmes
|
€0.6 million
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives
|
€2.27 million
|