Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 April 2024
145. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18173/24]
View answerThe Young Ireland: National Policy Framework for Children and Young People recognises the important role of youth work services in supporting young people to thrive and fully develop their potential. It acknowledges the important ongoing reform programme and further commits to the development of a new Youth Services Action Plan to provide a strategic direction for the delivery of youth services over the lifetime of the Framework.
In the process of developing this work, it was determined that there is a need for broader strategic policy vision to guide the identification of the most impactful actions. In view of this, it is intended that the final document will be a national strategy on youth work services and related non-formal developmental opportunities for young people.
Informed by extensive consultation, work is at an advanced stage in developing this document, which will focus on ensuring we have high-quality, inclusive and accessible youth work services and opportunities that support young people from all backgrounds to fully realise their potential and positively shape their own and our shared future. The measures to be included in the new strategy are still being identified. The focus will be on strategic actions that will be most impactful in maximising opportunities and outcomes for young people.
My Department has been leading a significant reform process in respect of the main funding schemes by which funding is allocated to the youth sector for their work with young people. The UBU Your Place Your Space scheme was launched in 2019 and provides a clear mechanism at local Education and Training Board level to ensure that resources are directed to where they are most needed, with a focus on young people who are disadvantaged, marginalised or otherwise vulnerable.
The Youth Services Grant Scheme, which provides funding to voluntary youth organisations that provide social and personal development opportunities to young people, is currently being reformed to ensure that we have a robust, modern and transparent funding infrastructure that meets the needs of young people.
