Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
57. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can clarify when a full breakdown of funding for youth work services for 2024 will be made available, by scheme; what capital funding will be available for the sector in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48547/23]
View answerMy Department is making a significant investment in youth services in 2024, building on the increases in recent years and securing the achievements into the future.
The full package of current funding for youth services and programmes in my Department is €77.95 million, an increase of €5 million, or 6.8%, on the 2023 budget. There is no capital allocation in 2024.
€74.45m is being provided for youth services funded under the existing funding schemes. In addition, €1million is being provided to establish a new Youth Employability Scheme which aims to help young people to participate in the workforce, education, or training.
€2.5 million is being provided to support the expansion of universal youth services, which are provided by volunteer led youth organisations around the country. This funding will enable more groups to support young people and will create more places in youth groups.
My officials are examining the options for this year’s allocation in advance of the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume. At this point, a full breakdown of funding for youth services will be made available. The increased level of funding will consolidate the achievements since 2020 and provide a strong platform into the future.
