Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

12. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is satisfied with the funding allocated to the youth sector in budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43560/24]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This is about the funding allocated to the youth sector in budget 2025. I note that the National Youth Council of Ireland was particularly disappointed with the amount allocated. Is the Minister satisfied with the budget for next year?

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Arising out of budget 2025, €85 million will be allocated to current and capital expenditure for the benefit of young people.

That is an increase in funding of €7 million, or almost 9%, on the 2024 budget. I have increased funding for youth services every single year as Minister. This is the largest boost in youth funding that youth services have received during my time as Minister. The overall level of youth funding has increased by 34% over the past four years and five budgets. The additional funding secured in budget 2025 will support the sustainability of youth organisations, while also expanding youth work service capacity through the funding of new targeted youth services.

Funding secured in budget 2025 will support the implementation of opportunities for youth: the national strategy for youth work and related services 2024-2028. This strategy includes a clear set of strategic objectives and 18 priority actions intended to strengthen the role of youth work and related services in the lives of young people in Ireland.

The funding will also support the UBU your place your space funding scheme. We will be able to open ten new UBU services throughout the country. These are targeted services for some of the most vulnerable young people in our country. They will support more than 1,000 young people in 2025 and beyond.

Funding through the youth services grant scheme, which supports national youth organisations to deliver quality youth services across the State, will also be increased in 2025, up to €1.5 million. Additional funding of €650,000 has been allocated in 2024 to a volunteer activation fund. That is particularly important because many of the youth organisations which engage with me regularly say that since Covid-19, it has been harder and harder to get volunteers to work in youth services. We are looking to focus on that issue.

We are also trying a pilot initiative on holiday hunger, which is a recognition that while the State is now doing a lot to provide food and lunches for young people in primary and secondary schools, many of those young people might be at risk of hunger outside of that context. We are looking to see whether we can pilot supports through youth services.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister. It is important to note that the National Youth Council of Ireland described the budget, particularly the allocation for youth work, as a missed opportunity. It said it was disappointing and falls short of what is critically needed to support Ireland's growing youth population. The confirmed €7 million for the expansion of youth work services is less than half of what was advocated for by young people and the sector, which was €15 million. Both Foróige and the National Youth Council of Ireland advocated for that amount. They also highlighted, given the many pressures young people are under, the need and increasing demand for youth work services. They were disappointed with the allocation and I want to put that on the record. They released a statement in response to the budget once the budget was announced.

It is important we acknowledge the absolute importance of youth work throughout the State now more than ever, given the many pressures young people are under, particularly when it comes to mental health and the need for them to have those spaces in rural and urban areas.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have increased funding for youth services every year because I see its absolute centrality in allowing for meaningful interventions with some of the most vulnerable young people in society. I fully believe that every young person, irrespective of his or her background or where he or she comes from in our country, should have the option to engage in youth work if he or she so wishes.

We spend a huge amount of money in this country on sport and sporting investment for young people. While that is absolutely right, there is a large contingent for whom sports are not a particular option or interest. We need to meet the needs of those young people as well. We see that in the diversity of youth services. I have been in Huntstown in my own area where there is a Foróige sewing club. Twenty young people meet to repair garments. That is their thing. I am aware other youth services look at a whole range of different areas. The diversity in the sector is absolutely fantastic and something I have always supported verbally and financially.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While I acknowledge the year-on-year increase in funding, I want to convey the disappointment of the National Youth Council of Ireland because it released a statement and I am not sure it got the acknowledgement and the recognition it deserved. It did a lot of work coming up to the budget, as many organisations do. It sought €15 million and outlined exactly what that amount was needed for.

The council has also raised concern that, with additional funding of only €7 million, the new youth work strategy is at risk of not actually being implemented like its predecessor. That is the point it has made. While I welcome the strategy, it is important, going forward, that we ensure it can be funded and fully implemented. There are concerns that funding of €7 million will be insufficient to do that. It is important for the next Dáil, which will be elected shortly, that the strategy, which I welcome and acknowledge, is funded and implemented.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am anxious to get to one more question. I will only allow Deputy Durkan to have a brief comment.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

All my comments are brief. While the work the Minister is doing in the Department with respect to youth and youth federations, such as Foróige etc, is acknowledged, is it accepted that the needs and demand are increasing in this regard? There are more challenges facing youth. Is the Minister satisfied he has sufficient resources to meet those challenges in the future?

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The need is absolutely growing in every part of my Department, whether it is youth services, early years, disability or integration and the needs of people fleeing to Ireland. The needs across all parts of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are growing. I have, however, always prioritised increasing the budget for youth services because it is so important.

In response to Deputy Kerrane, we have not underfunded the new strategy. The new strategy will be central in advancing youth services in the next number of years. As I said, this is the largest increase in funding the sector has seen in the past five years. While I would always like to give more, as I would in all areas of my Department, as I said in response to Deputy Durkan, there is a real need across every part of my Department and we all have to work within an allocation. I look forward to continuing to work with NYCI, Foróige and all those who work in the sector with whom I have always had a good working relationship.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh can pick from four questions. He will have limited time, however.

Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is fine. I understand the time constraints.