Written answers

Thursday, 4 February 2021

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Youth Services

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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155. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he expects to be in a position to offer financial or other support to the various youth organisations throughout the country in 2021; if his Department continues to maintain contact on a regular basis with such groups in order to identify their current or ongoing requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6270/21]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I am pleased to confirm that €66.8 million in funding has been made available to support the provision of youth services nationwide in 2021, an increase of €5 million on funding provided in 2020.

This investment increases financial support for both youth services and youth clubs, as well as ensuring further strengthening and development of UBU Your Place Your Space, universal service provision and youth information. The additional funding allocated to youth services in 2021 will support the delivery of universal and targeted youth services nationwide, with a particular view to the role played by youth services in supporting mental wellbeing, fostering resilience and developing the social and personal competencies of young people, including disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable young people. 

My Department maintains close contact with the national youth organisations funded under the Youth Service Grant Scheme and I, and officials from my Department, meet formally with these organisations twice a year to share knowledge and information on developments in the youth sector (this schedule has been affected by Covid-19).

In addition, my officials hold quarterly meetings attended by all Youth Officers from across the country. Youth Officers of the Education and Training Boards (ETB) provide an important support role to my Department in the co-ordination and administration of youth services at local level. These meetings assist my Department in identifying service needs and emerging issues, particularly for vulnerable young people. 

Officials from my Department also meet with youth organisations on an individual basis when the need arises. 

It is now more critical than ever that our young people are supported as they experience the social, economic, physical and mental health impacts of the pandemic. In recognition of the vital role played by youth work in providing such support to young people, funding levels have been maintained throughout the current challenging period and I have secured additional funding for 2021.  This will enable the youth sector to continue to provide supports to young people, particularly to marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable young people. 

I am committed to supporting this important sector, which has enormous value both to the many young people involved and from a broader social and economic viewpoint. 

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