Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

My Department works very closely with young people and representatives of organisations serving young people to make decisions around the prioritisation of available Exchequer funding. Their input in recent years has greatly informed budgetary decisions. For the past number of years, the annual capital budget available to youth services has been approximately €3 million. Decisions on the allocation of these funds are made based on an assessment of need at a given time and the consultations I have referenced. The funding is distributed among more than 30 national youth organisations, over 250 funded UBU Your Place Your Space youth services, and more than 1,500 youth clubs funded by my Department.

At present, youth clubs and services are largely operating from shared community facilities, their own premises or rented accommodation. This reflects, for many, the age profile of young people being served which is schoolgoing, and the part-time requirements for accommodation.

In recent years, capital funding for physical infrastructure has been provided in relation mainly to minor works, equipment, ICT and as a contribution to local authorities for the development of playground facilities. In 2020 and 2021, works to adapt outdoor spaces, ventilation, sanitary upgrades and other Covid-19 related refurbishments were eligible for funding. This enabled both the move to increase our online working with young persons and to create suitable spaces for meeting in person. The capital allocation for 2022 will be finalised over the coming weeks.

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