Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1051. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to expand the access to youth work services to young people in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36629/23]
View answerMy Departments supports the delivery of youth services nationwide, with €75million funding for youth service provision in 2023. Services are delivered in urban and rural locations, by voluntary national youth organisations and through the national network of the Education and Training Boards, who oversee the UBU targeted youth services and local youth clubs. My Department does not directly deliver any youth services or employ youth workers.
I am aware that young people in rural areas may not have the same opportunities to access youth services as those in towns and cities. Since the launch of the largest funding scheme, UBU in 2020, 16 new targeted projects have been established, with significant additional funding allocated to new services in rural towns and areas including UBU funded projects targeting rural isolation in the Inishowen peninsula, Co. Donegal, West Iveragh and rural North Kerry, and rural Clare. The 2023 UBU funding provided by my Department is €46.48 million.
The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme funded by the Department and administered by local Education and Training Boards supports volunteer led youth clubs across the country, and are particularly important in rural areas. €2.5 million has been provided by my Department for this scheme in 2023.
My officials and I will continue to engage with the Education and Training Boards across the country who have responsibility for supporting the provision, coordination, administration, and assessment of youth services in its functional area to understand the youth service needs of young people across the country.
