Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
133. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown by scheme of funding support provided to youth organisations and youth services in an area (details supplied) in 2021; the broad outcomes which this funding has supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5102/22]
View answerMy Department provides a range of youth funding nationally through the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) who act as a funding intermediary for my Department. While my Department does not allocate funding on the basis of parliamentary constituencies, the ETB which provides for areas in Dublin Mid-West such as Clondalkin, Lucan, and Ronanstown is Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB.
In 2021, a total of €9.05m was provided to this ETB in the form of annual and one off grants. The more significant elements of this overall figure are
- The UBU - Your Place Your Space - scheme - €7,807,950.00
- Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS) - €209,145.00 ,
- Youth Information Centres (YIC) - €131,309.50, and
- LGBTI+ Initiatives - €10,622.00
Allocation letters for 2022 will issue shortly. All UBU Your Place Your Space services and Youth Information Centres will receive a 3% increase on 2021.
The funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth work sector. In Dublin Mid-West these included:
- UBU Your Place Your Space is a youth funding scheme that targets disadvantaged young people with evidence informed interventions and services to deliver better outcomes.
- Youth Information Centres provide young people with access to information on rights, opportunities, benefits, health, welfare and other matters.
- The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports volunteer-led youth work activities at a local level.
- The Education and Training Board Youth Grant provides funding to ETBs to support their work and engagement with young people.
The area will also benefit from €12m funding nationally under the Youth Service Grant Scheme to support more universal service provision to 30 national or regional organisations such as Scouting Ireland, Foroige, Youth Work Ireland etc
A capital scheme for 2021 was also funded in the area. One off funding was provided to support Covid 19 related costs and re-engagement with local volunteers.
