As the Deputy points out, I secured an additional €1 million for the provision of new UBU services in 2021. Six Education and Training Boards (ETBs), who did not form part of the Sample Services process in 2016 and 2017, were pre-selected to establish new services. These ETBs are:
- City of Dublin ETB
- Donegal ETB
- Kerry ETB
- Laois Offaly ETB
- Louth Meath ETB
- Waterford Wexford ETB
My officials have met with the six ETBs to initiate the process. The mechanism by which selected ETBs undertake the establishment of new services is set out in the UBU Policy and Operating Rules. The six ETBs have commenced completing the Area Profile, Needs Assessment and Service Requirement (APNASR) which will identify the most pressing needs of young people to which the new services will respond. A provisional timeline of six months for the new services to become operational has been conveyed to these ETBs. I look forward to working with the ETBs to get new services up and running as soon as possible.