297. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can provide a comprehensive update on the implementation of Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024 – 2028. [66816/26]

Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services is the strategic framework for the youth work sector, published in September 2024. The purpose of the strategy is to provide a platform for an effective, data-driven, and comprehensive approach to the delivery of youth work and related services.

The implementation of the strategy will be reported on via the Young Ireland governance structures. The implementation of this strategy and the cooperation of all relevant actors will be supported via a new National Youth Sector Reference Group, as well as a group with representatives from departments and agencies that provide funding to or interact with the youth sector.

My officials have drafted an implementation plan to support the delivery of the strategy. Work is progressing on delivery of several of the actions for which my department has lead responsibility.

Under Action 7, to produce a Workforce Development Strategy, the department has engaged extensively with youth workers, youth services and youth organisations to establish baseline data and information. This engagement was carried out through a workforce survey for youth workers and a workforce questionnaire for employers, followed by three online consultations and eight in-person consultations throughout the country. Representatives of the youth work sector and other key stakeholders were also offered the opportunity to make a submission following the consultation process. Three submissions were received. The department is currently engaging with the National Youth Council of Ireland to establish the Workforce Advisory Group. This group, which will include representatives from across the sector will work with the department to prepare the Workforce Development Strategy and support the implementation of the Strategy over the coming years. Officials will continue to engage with the youth sector throughout the development of the Workforce Strategy.

Under Action 8, my officials have commenced a review of the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. The review is to assess how the scheme operates, the extent to which the scheme is meeting its objectives, and whether the processes and procedures that underpin the scheme are fit for purpose. As an initial phase, my department undertook a comprehensive scoping exercise of the UBU scheme’s operating processes. Engagement with key stakeholders has been a central element of this work. In 2026, the department engaged?with ETBs and youth service providers for their input into the scheme’s operations. This collaborative effort resulted in a more streamlined application process being introduced in time for Cycle 3 of the UBU scheme in 2027, including the introduction of an online application form.

The department will continue to engage with ETBs and youth service providers to gather detailed feedback on the scheme’s operation. Separately, consideration is being given to the review of the more qualitative aspects of UBU, and it is planned that this will commence in 2026. The work carried out to date will provide useful evidence to support the review and inform any future improvements to the scheme’s operation and effectiveness.

Under Action 9, YouthMap Ireland was launched in September 2026. YouthMap Ireland, available at www.youthmapireland.ie is a new interactive online map designed to help young people, families, educators and communities easily find youth clubs, services, projects and organisations in their local area. It is the first comprehensive national map of youth work and related services in Ireland. The platform was developed with input from young people through consultation and user testing, helping to ensure that it is accessible, user-friendly and responsive to their needs. The publicly accessible platform allows users to search for youth clubs and youth services nationwide and provides information including service locations, contact details, websites, facilities and accessibility information.

In Budget 2025, an additional €1.2 million was allocated for the establishment of ten new UBU services which will provide targeted youth worker-led support for up to 1,000 young people where they are most needed.

Each ETB was invited to make a submission for one new UBU service in their area.

Following a competitive assessment process, the ten locations that secured funding for a new UBU service were as follows:

· Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath

· Laois Rural – UBU Laois Connect (including Mountmellick/Dangans/ Mountrath and Rathdowney), Co. Laois

· East Donegal/South Central Donegal (including Lifford, Stranorlar, Raphoe, Ballindrait, Castlefinn, Killygordon), Co. Donegal

· Carrick on Súir, Co Tipperary

· Johnstown and Urlingford (North Kilkenny), Co. Kilkenny

· Monaghan Town, Co Monaghan

· Deeside Region, Co. Louth/Co. Meath

· Castlebar and Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo

· Greater Kenmare, Co. Kerry

· Newbridge, Co. Kildare.