Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
114. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he and his Department have mapped the existence of youth-focused community projects and staff across the State; and if they are aware of gaps in coverage, or large and populous areas without or with inadequately resourced projects, and how they intend to resolve this. [49716/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAcross the State there are hundreds of youth-focused community projects in which many thousands of young people meet every week to make friends, develop their skills, contribute to their community and realise their potential. My Departments supports many of these groups through a number of funding schemes, with a total budget of €77.95 million for 2024. These groups vary greatly in terms of size, in their activities, and in the makeup of the young people who attend them.
I recognise the need to better understand the precise distribution of youth work services across the State and this is an area of priority for my officials. This process is underway with an initial focus on mapping the more than 260 projects funded through the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme which is administered and governed through the 16 Education and Training Boards. This initial work will be expanded in the course of 2024 to include the mapping of youth work services funded through other schemes such as the Youth Services Grant Scheme.
