Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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96. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the supports that are available for capital development for youth facilities from her Department; the plans she has to expand these; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40070/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Approximately €85 million has been allocated for current and capital expenditure to support youth services and young people in Budget 2025, an increase of almost 9% on Budget 2024.

€500,000 was secured in capital funding for the youth sector in 2025. This investment will support the launch of ten new UBU Your Place Your Space services, expanding targeted youth work provision to reach up to 1,000 disadvantaged young people across Ireland. Part of this funding will also be used to enable national youth organisations to carry out essential minor works and invest in ICT infrastructure, helping them ensure youth services remain modern, accessible, and fit for purpose.

It is important to take a strategic approach to developing youth spaces at local level, and this is reflected in Opportunities for Youth: The National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services. Action 10 of the strategy commits my department and strategic partners to the development of a policy for youth spaces and facilities. Action 13 focuses on ensuring provision of appropriate indoor and outdoor infrastructure through wider community development schemes.

These policy actions were shaped by consultations with young people, where access to suitable premises was identified as a critical issue. The strategy promotes the better use of existing facilities within each education and training board area and prioritises the identification of new spaces where there is proven need.

This approach is intentionally balanced with the commitment to engage young people where they are, recognising the importance of outreach, detached youth work, and digital formats in reaching diverse groups.

As part of the NDP Review process, my department is currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure with respect to NDP allocations for the period 2026-2030. It is expected that there will be clarity on these allocations over the course of the summer period, and this will allow my department to plan its capital youth investment for the period in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities.