385. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost to increase the Your Place Your Space Programme youth funding by 40%. [38487/22]

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: UBU Your Place Your Space Funding Scheme – A single youth funding scheme that targets disadvantaged young people with evidence informed interventions and services that will secure good outcomes. This fund replaces funding previously provided under Special Projects for Youth, Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund 1 &2 and the Local Drug Task Force projects. UBU Your Place Your Space became operational in mid- 2020.

Please note: A 40% funding increase on the overall funding alone may not automatically result in an additional provision of new services as demand may vary or a substantial portion may be absorbed in supporting existing services, e.g. strengthening governance, ancillary or business supports. Under UBU Your Place Your Space there is a mechanism for new services to be provided where funding becomes available. Applications would be open to an existing UBU funded organisation or an organisation new to UBU Your Place Your Space. Consequently, an increase in service provision may not necessarily lead to increased numbers of organisations funded under UBU Your Place Your Space.