Máire Devine (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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151. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware of and acknowledges that adolescents in the inner cities face harrowing challenges in their environments due to inequality and disadvantage; her views on whether the term “age-friendly cities” must be expanded to include in particular adolescents who presently have no input into the amenities and features in their surroundings and are often left with little to no safe activities to avoid falling into troublesome behaviour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7740/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Government recognises the importance of tackling inequality and disadvantage experienced by some young people. The Programme for Government sees youth work services as playing an essential role in improving outcomes for young people. They create spaces for young people of all backgrounds to belong and to thrive.

In September 2024, my Department published Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024-2028, which aims to provide a more strategic, data-driven, and joined-up approach to the delivery of youth work and related services in Ireland. Actions 10 and 13 of Opportunities for Youth , outline the measures my Department is taking to support the provision of indoor and outdoor youth spaces and facilities.

As part of Budget 2025, my Department allocated almost €85 million towards youth services with over €50 million to our targeted youth services scheme, UBU Your Place Your Space.

The UBU scheme provides funding to over 250 targeted youth services across the country, in both urban and rural areas. €17 million of UBU funding is allocated to support the 43 UBU services within the City of Dublin Education and Training Board area. These UBU funded services support young people who are marginalised, disadvantaged, or vulnerable.

My Department also provides funding to the Youth Services Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres, ETB Youth Grant, Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and the Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative which all support the provision of youth services in both urban and rural areas nationwide.

“Age Friendly Cities” is a World Health Organisation framework and the Minister for Health would be best placed to consider the future scope of this initiative. My Department is committed to ensuring there are safe and inclusive spaces within the community where young people feel empowered to share their voices and be heard.