Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
605. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the evidence for the commitment to support youth, that is, young persons between ten and 25 years of age who are most marginalised in society when Covid-19 passes (details supplied) [14500/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to report that funding to the youth sector has been protected through the recent period of extraordinary challenge. I want to assure the Deputy of my commitment to young people and the youth sector that provides such crucial support to them.
I am particularly keen to ensure that the needs of vulnerable, marginalised and disadvantaged young people are taken into account, with specific consideration of how these needs have been impacted or exacerbated by Covid-19 and the resulting restrictions.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department funds UBU - Your Place Your Space which opened on 1st July. This new scheme provides funding, in the region of €39 million annually, to youth services which support young people. The scheme targets young people aged between 10 – 24 years who are vulnerable, disadvantaged or marginalised. The first cycle of UBU - Your Place Your Space runs to December 2023, incorporating a new reporting and continuous improvement approach as part of the model. My Department also funds more universally focussed, volunteer led, youth work through the Youth Service Grant Scheme.
The youth sector has responded quickly to the current crisis, adapting and innovating in order to maintain supports for vulnerable young people. I greatly appreciate the efforts of key representatives from the youth sector in assisting my Department to develop and update Guidance for Youth Organisations on Resuming Full Services after Covid-19, in line with the Government Roadmap .
The Department has also worked with a Youth Advisory Group to design a national consultation with young people on health and well-being as we learn to live with COVID-19. The consultation, 'How’s Your Head – Young Voices during Covid-19' will assist in providing a deeper understanding of what young people have found difficult during COVID-19, what changes in their lives they would like to keep going forward, and what would help young people to improve their mental health and well-being over the coming summer months and beyond. The findings from the consultation will be documented to inform relevant service design and delivery for young people. It will also assist Government in developing other appropriate policy responses on the issues raised by young people leading to a more informed whole of society response to COVID-19 as relevant to the lives of young people.
