1745. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the UBU Your Place Your Space panel, which has not been opened for submissions since 2021, will be opened for new submissions for youth services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31112/24]

In Cycle 1 of the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme, over 260 projects were funded by my Department on the recommendation of the ETBs. A reserve panel of 18 projects was established to be funded subject to additional resources being made available to my Department. 8 of these projects were funded in 2022. The panel was set to expire in 2023 but was extended to the end of 2024 in response to a request from the ETBs.

A new panel will be put in place in 2025 if additional funding becomes available.  ETBs will be invited to submit applications for new UBU services if that becomes possible.

It is my Department’s intention to maintain ongoing engagement with ETBs on this matter.