565. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether youth services supported by her Department have raised concerns regarding nitrous oxide misuse among young people, including in Dublin; whether any guidance, awareness initiatives or cross departmental measures are in place to assist youth organisations in responding to this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37847/26]

Hildegarde Naughton, Minister for Education and Youth: UBU Your Place Your Space is the department's largest youth funding scheme. The scheme targets young people aged between 10 and 24 years old who are experiencing economic, social and cultural disadvantages, marginalisation, or are vulnerable or at risk of not flourishing, including young people experiencing or involved in substance misuse.

Accordingly, while the misuse of substances including nitrous oxide among young people in Dublin is not something that has featured strongly in representations to the department by youth organisations, nationally, youth workers and youth services respond to the needs of young people including in relation to this issue.

The Deputy may also be aware of the role of the HSE and Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces in providing information on health issues such as substance misuse and the pro-active approach they have taken to communicating with parents and youth workers on the dangers associated with nitrous oxide and other substances.

The Department of Education and Youth also provides funding to support 21 Youth Information Centres (YICs) nationally. These include centres based in youth services as well as online via spunout.ie. Their purpose is to provide young people with information on rights, health, wellbeing, welfare and other matters. Youth Information Centres support young people to make their own informed choices and become independent and active citizens. They can help direct young people to specialised organisations when necessary.

In addition, the department supports the work of the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI)’s National Youth Health programme. The main objectives of this programme for 2026 are to identify and advocate for the health and wellbeing needs of young people, to liaise with the youth work sector to understand these needs and to build the capacity of youth work organisations to help meet these needs. The 2026 programme includes a target for specific advocacy in relation to substance misuse.