Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
67. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the process of the development of a youth service in an area with a growing population such as Rathcoole, County Dublin (details supplied). [24194/20]
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.
Key to achieving the aims of the scheme is the development of the Area Profile and Needs Assessment Tool. The purpose of this Tool is to allow each ETB to avail of quantitative and qualitative information to objectively identify the needs of young people within their functional area. This analysis leads to the development of a Service Requirement which is then used as the basis for discussion between ETBs and service providers in terms of service delivery to meet the needs of young people in the 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 evidence-informed need.
Funded Youth Services based in Rathcoole are overseen by Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) in respect of matters relating to grants and service provision.
