Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1933. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount in youth funding for County Kilkenny for the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20724/25]

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1934. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount in youth funding for County Carlow for the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20725/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1933 and 1934 together.

My Department allocates funding on an annual basis to ETBs for youth services within each of the 16 ETB functional areas rather than on a county-by-county basis. Under Section 10 (j) of the Education and Training Board (ETB) Act 2013, the 16 ETBs have responsibility to support the provision, coordination, administration and assessment of youth work services in their functional areas and to assess whether the manner in which they perform are economical, efficient and effective.

Targeted youth services across Ireland, such as UBU Your Place Your Space and the Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative (TYESI), provide essential support to young people facing economic, social, and cultural disadvantage. Administered by ETBs, these initiatives focus on personal development, employment, and social inclusion, ensuring the vulnerable youth have access to meaningful opportunities to enhance their life chances. In 2025, UBU received €50.7 million in funding, while TYESI was allocated €1.18 million, reinforcing the Government's commitment to supporting targeted youth services.

Annual funding of universal youth services is provided for through the Youth Services Grant Scheme (YSGS) by my Department and administered through Pobal. The YSGS provides funding to 35 National Youth Organisations to provide universal youth services across Ireland, urban and rural. My Department is providing €15.3 million this year under this scheme. The YSGS plays a crucial role in supporting youth by ensuring that young people have access to clubs, activities, and supports that foster their growth and engagement. Additionally, these Organisations enhance the wider youth sector by offering training for volunteer youth workers, promoting evidence-based youth work, and advocating for the voluntary youth sector. This ensures that both urban and rural youth benefit from high-quality services despite geographical challenges. As this funding is allocated directly to National Youth Organisations, rather than individual ETBs, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of funding at the ETB level.

The funding of youth work services provided to Kilkenny Carlow Education and Training Board for the period 2020 to 2025 for both counties is outlined in the table below.

Youth funding allocations made available to Kilkenny Carlow Education and Training Board over the period 2020 to 2025.