Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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94. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding streams are available for a youth project (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36742/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Funding for the provision of targeted youth services is administered on behalf of my Department by the Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Funding is allocated following applications to the UBU Your Place Your Spacescheme. This operates generally on a 3-year cycle with an annual renewal process. This is the first full year of the scheme.

I have provided an additional €1 million for the provision of new UBU Your Place Your Spaceservices in 2021. Donegal ETB is one of the ETBs where a new UBU Your Place Your Space service will be located. The ETB is moving forward with the process for new services in line with the policy and operating rules for the scheme. This process identifies the most pressing needs of young people to which the new services will respond. The Youth Affairs Unit in my Department has limited capital funding, which is aimed at equipment or small scale minor works for UBU Your Place Your Space services and funded local youth clubs. However, this funding is not available for major refurbishments, construction projects, or purchases.

In addition to UBU Your Place Your Space, my Department funds the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme. This is operated by the local ETB and qualifying clubs or groups may apply for up to €3,000 in a given year.

I have also approved funding to be distributed by the ETBs to local UBU funded organisations and youth clubs funded by my Department. This is contribution intended to support services and clubs with some of their re-opening costs. It is also intended to help with the re-engagement of much valued volunteers as services and clubs continue to re-open .

I would advise that any youth service, club or group in the Donegal area to contact their ETB in the first instance for further information.