Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 April 2024
147. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18180/24]
View answerMy Department supports the provision of both volunteer-led and youth worker led youth clubs and services throughout the country. In respect of volunteer-led youth clubs specifically, €14.072 million is being provided through the Youth Service Grant Scheme, which includes provision for 30 national organisations to support their network of volunteer-led clubs at local level. Provision has also been made of a further €500,000 to allow new entrants to the Youth Service Grant Scheme in 2024. In addition, my Department this year has provided €2.5 million in funding to the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme to support volunteer-led groups and clubs throughout the country.
There is a need for improved data in respect of the distribution of youth work services across the State and this is an area of priority for my officials. A mapping process is currently underway which aims to capture all youth services, both youth worker led and volunteer led. The aim is to ensure that youth services are distributed across the country for young people who wish to access them.
In 2023 my Department initiated the first stage of the mapping project to map the 251 projects funded through the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme which provides targeted youth services to young people who are disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable. The mapping project has been expanded this year to include the mapping of youth work services funded through other schemes, including the Youth Services Grant Scheme and the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme.
