Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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560. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the work that is underway and that has taken place to date, on implementing the actions for which Youth Affairs is the lead on Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024–2028. [29613/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that at present my officials are developing an implementation approach to Opportunities for Youth that takes into account the transfer of youth functions to the Department of Education.

Work is already underway in relation to several actions in the strategy for which the Department is the lead.

In relation to Action 8, my officials have begun work on a review of the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. The review will assess how the scheme operates, the extent to which the scheme is meeting its objectives, and whether the processes and procedures are fit for purpose.

In line with the commitment under Action 9 to 'map the availability and distribution of youth work and wider youth services and facilities throughout Ireland, charted against key demographic data', the first phase of developing a comprehensive mapping tool has been completed. The next phase, focusing on the external website, is set to begin shortly. The website will feature an interactive map designed to serve as a central resource for young people, their guardians, and educators, facilitating access to essential youth services within their communities.

The internal dashboard integrates key data sources, including the Pobal Deprivation Index, CSO population statistics, current funding allocations, and travel time metrics for funded organisations, to inform future resource distribution. Following the recent transfer of function to the Department of Education and Youth, a review is underway to explore additional functionalities that may further improve the effectiveness of the mapping tool.

Regarding Action 7, consultations will consultations will take place during 2025 and 2026 with a broad range of stakeholders to inform the key thematic areas of focus in the Workforce Development Strategy. Stakeholders will include youth workers, youth organisations, young people, and providers of youth work education and training. Officials will continue to engage with the youth sector throughout the development of the Strategy.

A workforce survey was developed in late 2024 and disseminated to youth workers working in the sector to establish baseline data and information on the workforce. The data and information is currently being analysed. In March 2025, a high-level questionnaire was issued to the CEOs and Boards of Management of youth organisations to enable them to contribute to the development of the Workforce Strategy and provide my Department with a broader and more in-depth understanding of the challenges experienced by the youth organisations in the recruitment and retention of the ‘youth work’ workforce.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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561. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the work that is underway to develop the implementation plan to support the delivery of agreed actions and ensure effective mainstreaming of strategic objectives of Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024–2028. [29614/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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562. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a timeline for the development of the implementation plan to support the delivery of agreed actions and ensure effective mainstreaming of strategic objectives of Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024–2028. [29615/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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563. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when other stakeholders, including the youth work sector, are being brought into the National strategy for Youth Work and Related Services. [29616/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 561, 562 and 563 together.

Work is underway on the drafting of an implementation plan to support the delivery of actions contained in Opportunities for Youth. The plan will take into account the transfer of youth functions to the Department of Education and Youth on 1 May, 2025.

While it is not possible to provide a precise timeline for the development of the implementation plan at present, an update will be provided to stakeholders as soon as possible.

Several actions in the in the strategy for which the Department is the lead are already being progressed.

In relation to Action 8, my officials have begun work on a review of the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. The review will assess how the scheme operates, the extent to which the scheme is meeting its objectives, and whether the processes and procedures are fit for purpose.

In line with the commitment under Action 9 to 'map the availability and distribution of youth work and wider youth services and facilities throughout Ireland, charted against key demographic data', the first phase of developing a comprehensive mapping tool has been completed. The next phase, focusing on the external website, is set to begin shortly. The website will feature an interactive map designed to serve as a central resource for young people, their guardians, and educators, facilitating access to essential youth services within their communities.

The internal dashboard integrates key data sources, including the Pobal Deprivation Index, CSO population statistics, current funding allocations, and travel time metrics for funded organisations, to inform future resource distribution. Following the recent transfer of function to the Department of Education and Youth, a review is underway to explore additional functionalities that may further improve the effectiveness of the mapping tool.

Regarding Action 7, consultations will take place during 2025 and 2026 with a broad range of stakeholders to inform the key thematic areas of focus in the Workforce Development Strategy. Stakeholders will include youth workers, youth organisations, young people, and providers of youth work education and training. Officials will continue to engage with the youth sector throughout the development of the Strategy.

A workforce survey was developed in late 2024 and disseminated to youth workers working in the sector to establish baseline data and information on the workforce. The data and information is currently being analysed. In March 2025, a high-level questionnaire was issued to the CEOs and Boards of Management of youth organisations to enable them to contribute to the development of the Workforce Strategy and provide my Department with a broader and more in-depth understanding of the challenges experienced by youth organisations in the recruitment and retention of the ‘youth work’ workforce.