Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 December 2022
264. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the application process for the UBU Your Place - Your Space scheme; if the scheme is currently open for applications from existing providers; and the criteria that are required to be met for eligibility. [62966/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding under UBU Your Place Your Space scheme to youth service organisations through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETB) around the country to support the provision of targeted youth services in their area. Each ETB provides an important role in the co-ordination, oversight and administration of youth services within their functional area.
The next three year funding cycle will commence in January 2024, with the preparatory work in 2023. The Education and Training Boards are in regular contact with existing funded organisations and are expected to communicate details of the next funding cycle in due course.
A key tenet of the scheme is the production of evidence of local needs relating to identified areas. At the start of the funding cycle, each ETB carries out an area needs analysis. This analysis leads to the development of a Service Requirement, which is serves as the basis for the application process with a focus on how best to support the young people in identified outcome areas.
Funded Organisations within each ETB area respond to the Service Requirements by submitting application forms. The policy and operating rules outline a number of minimum eligibility criteria to be met including: a commitment to follow the policy and operating rules, being properly established as a legal entity, compliance with the Children First Act 2015, having audited accounts and appropriate levels of insurance.
The remainder of process looks at the applicants response to the service requirement relevant to the area where the service will be provided. The assessment criteria are described in the policy and operating rules. These may consider governance, management, relevance to the response to the service requirement, and that the estimated profile meets the scheme's financial rules.
This assessment is carried out by the ETB, which submits a recommendation to the Department when it is complete. Following my Departments review of all ETB recommendations, confirmation letters are issued to the ETBs relating to each Funded Organisation entry to the next three year cycle.
During the three year cycle, there is an annual renewal process which includes an indication that the funded organisation remains within the policy and operating rules of the scheme.
The policy and operating rules for the scheme are available on www.ubu.gov.ie.
