Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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401. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he has taken or continues to take to address social and or economic disadvantage amongst the youth cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36476/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I want to assure the Deputy of my commitment to young people and their families, including those who are vulnerable, marginalised or disadvantaged.

In July 2020, my Department launched UBU Your Place Your Spacewhich allocates targeted youth funding of €41.8 million to youth services. UBU funded youth services 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.

The first cycle of UBU Your Place Your Spaceruns to December 2023 incorporating a new reporting and continuous improvement approach as part of the model. I secured an additional €1 million for the rollout of new services under the scheme in 2021.

In addition, my Department has worked closely with the youth sector throughout the period of restrictions to ensure that young people most in need of supports continue to receive them. All funding has been maintained fully.

Finally, I secured an increase of €5 million in funding for youth services in 2021. A total of €66.8 million is being provided to youth services nationwide this year. This 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 fostering resilience and developing the social and personal competencies of young people.