Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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879. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will put in place a sustainable investment strategy to ensure that all young people have access to youth workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12403/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department ensures that delivery of all of our priorities is underpinned by strategic investment and robust financial planning.

A key priority of my Department is to develop and enhance youth service provision in Ireland, including through the reform of youth funding programmes and strengthening of youth quality initiatives. My Departments UBU Your Place Your SpaceScheme which provides targeted support to disadvantaged young people is being implemented on a continuous improvement basis, to ensure that it can be reviewed to ensure the best outcomes for the young people it supports.

In addition, I have initiated a reform of the Youth Service Grant Scheme which provides universal access to youth services nationwide. The review will consider how to ensure the widest possible access by young people to youth services and youth workers. I have also commissioned research to inform plans to modernise youth information services, which provide phone and on-line support services to young people.

With regard to the level of investment for the youth sector, that is a matter for the annual Budgetary process.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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880. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department’s plans to ensure that youth work is properly and sustainably funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12404/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department is making a significant investment in youth services in 2023, building on the increases in recent years and securing the achievements into the future.

The full package of funding for youth services and programmes in my Department is €75 million. This includes €72.95 million for current funding and €2.7 million in capital funds for minor works, equipment, and contributions towards playgrounds with local authorities.

From 2020 to Budget 2023, current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes increased from €61.789 million to €72.948 million, an 18% increase overall.

With regard to future funding of youth work, the total amount allocated to this area will be determined in the annual budgetary process.