Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2020
186. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he has met with the HSE in respect of increasing funding to the youth services in County Kildare. [29233/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding for the provision of youth services is administered on behalf of my Department by the Education and Training Boards, which allocate funding via applications to the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. This scheme is aimed at young people between the ages of 10 and 24 who are, or are at risk of becoming, disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable. Targeted annual youth funding of €38.7m is allocated under the scheme. The HSE has no role in administering this funding.
In allocating funding under the scheme, each ETB carries out an Area Profile, Needs Assessment and Service requirement process. This process draws upon quantitative and qualitative information to objectively identify the needs of young people within the ETB’s functional area. The approach ensures that we can target supports to the young people most in need of intervention and that funding is allocated on the basis of evidenced need. This assessment process leads to the development of a Service Requirement which is then used as the basis for discussion between ETBs and service providers to meet the needs of young people in the area.
There is no expectation that the youth services work beyond their available resources, but rather work with the young people identified by the ETB in order of priority, as set out in the Service Requirement.
Funded Youth Services based in Kildare are overseen by the Kildare Wicklow Education Training Board (KWETB) in respect of matters relating to grants and service provision.
