Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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459. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the allocation of the additional €7 million for youth services announced as part of Budget 2025; to provide a breakdown in terms of current and capital spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40096/24]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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460. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide detail on the funding available from his Department for a new pilot initiative to address holiday hunger among young people attending youth work services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40097/24]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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462. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide detail on the funding available from his Department to implement the new national strategy for youth work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40099/24]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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463. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide detail on the funding provided under Budget 2025 for universal youth services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40100/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 459, 460, 462 and 463 together.

I am very pleased to have secured an increase in youth service funding by 9% for 2025, bringing my Department's investment under our main youth budget subhead to a total of €84.9 million.

This increased level of funding will enable the expansion of youth service capacity to engage more young people, across both universal and targeted youth services, including the establishment of 10 new targeted youth services under the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. Additionally, a new pilot initiative will be implemented to support selected youth services in providing meals during school holiday periods, as part of the Government’s commitment to tackling Holiday Hunger. Furthermore, €1 million in capital funding is being allocated under the Youth Affairs subhead, with €500,000 specifically earmarked for upgrading play and recreation facilities.

My officials are examining the options for 2025 allocations in advance of the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume, with a more detailed breakdown to be released at that time on the percentage increase in allocation for universal services.