Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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68. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures being put in place to support children in statistically vulnerable groups to reduce the uptake of addictive habits such as smoking and drinking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30619/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Deputy may wish to also refer to my colleague the Minister for Health, who has responsibility for overarching national strategies to tackle alcohol use and smoking cessation, including among young people. I will set out for the Deputy what is being done in this respect by youth services.

My Department currently allocates targeted youth funding of €38.7 million via the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme, which was launched in December 2019 and became operational on 1 July 2020. The mission of the scheme is to provide out-of-school supports to marginalised, disadvantaged or vulnerable young people in their communities to enable them to overcome adverse circumstances and achieve their full potential. There is clear evidence that participation in youth work develops a young person's social and personal competencies and fosters their resilience, all of which are protective factors against the misuse of alcohol and other addictive behaviours to which the Deputy refers.

The additional investment, which I have secured for youth services for next year, will strengthen this scheme and ensure that young people continue to benefit from the range of supports provided by youth organisations.