Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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516. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of the youth affairs 2025 budget that is allocated for capital projects; the channels that exist for communities to access that funding to secure a youth space; if specific funds are reserved for repurposing old buildings as youth spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64019/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Arising from Budget 2025, €84.9m has been allocated for current and capital expenditure for the benefit of young people, an increase in funding of €7 million, or almost 9%, on the 2024 budget. Over the period from 2021 to 2025, the level of current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes will have increased by over 34%.

In 2025, a total of €500,000 in capital funding was allocated to the Youth Affairs Unit to strengthen youth service infrastructure. This funding was primarily directed towards supporting newly established UBU Your Place Your Space services and assisting national youth organisations in purchasing essential equipment. Of this amount, €150,000 was specifically ring-fenced to cover set-up costs for the new UBU services, ensuring they have the necessary resources to commence operations effectively, as outlined in the table below.

I am also pleased to announce that, arising from Budget 2026, an additional €8 million in current and capital funding has been allocated to support the sustainability and development of youth services. This investment strengthens the foundation for inclusive, high-quality provision - ensuring continuity, expanding reach, and enabling services to respond to the evolving needs of Ireland’s diverse youth population.

The increased funding will support both operational delivery and infrastructure improvements across the youth sector. It will enable services to maintain and expand tailored supports for young people, while also facilitating essential upgrades to facilities, equipment, and digital infrastructure where appropriate.

The strategic direction for youth services will be guided by the Opportunities for Youth framework, with a particular focus on Strategic Objective 2 and Actions 9, 10, and 13:

• Objective 2: Young people are able to meaningfully shape the content of youth work services, schemes and policy.
• Action 9: Map the availability and distribution of youth work and wider youth services and facilities throughout Ireland, charted against key demographic data.
• Action 10: Develop and implement a policy for youth spaces and facilities at a local level.
• Action 13: Ensure provision for suitable indoor and outdoor spaces for young people and provide support for such spaces through relevant infrastructure and community development schemes.