A growing young population and heavy demand on existing services have left one north Dublin community in urgent need of extra youth support.
That community is Finglas South, where Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has announced the establishment of a new UBU Your Place Your Space (UBU) service.
UBU Your Place Your Space services provide a range of out-of-school supports to young people, enabling them to realise their maximum potential.
These supports include community-based activities, personal and social skills development, safe spaces and dedicated youth workers to support young people who face additional challenges or disadvantage.
City of Dublin Education and Training Board is responsible for supporting the provision, coordination, administration and assessment of youth work services in its functional area.
Following a review by City of Dublin ETB of services in the area, City of Dublin ETB has identified Finglas South as an area of highest priority area for a new youth service.
According to the ETB’s analysis, Finglas South has a large youth population with a high level of need for targeted youth work.
The area is also undergoing considerable development with significant units of housing due to come on stream soon.
Minister Naughton said: “I am committed to ensuring that our education system, spanning the formal and non-formal sectors, enables every child and young person to realise their potential.
“I am delighted to announce the establishment of this new UBU service on the recommendation of City of Dublin ETB.
“UBU services provide safe spaces, positive relationships and meaningful opportunities for young people to grow. Finglas is an area of young population growth and current UBU services experience significant demand. A number of schools in the Finglas area have recently been designated with DEIS Plus status, indicating a high concentration of children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage. Establishing an additional UBU in the areas will further strengthen and sustain the breadth of supports for young people in this community.”
Through City of Dublin ETB, the Department of Education and Youth currently funds two UBU services in the larger Finglas area:
- Finglas Youth Resource Centre, Mellows Road, Finglas: The Finglas Youth Resource Centre (FYRC) has been providing youth work programmes, informal education, and opportunities for young people since 2004. The youth centre itself is purpose-built and its staff have been providing a place of welcoming and belonging, a place for the young people to come and be themselves and a safe space to learn, develop and grow in confidence at a time in their lives of uncertainty and rapid growth.
- Crosscare Finglas LEAPP, The Den, St Helena’s Rd, Finglas: Crosscare Finglas youth service provides a range of programmes for young people aged 10-24 living in the wider Finglas area. The Den is well-known in the area and houses services for young people. The UBU project is implemented by qualified, experienced staff with strong networks with a variety of stakeholders who identify and engage with seldom heard groups and support young people though a range of services within Crosscare and their partner organisations.
This new service will alleviate pressures for additional provision in this area of growing need by augmenting the number of UBU services available and achieving a better geographic spread.
Funding of up to €228,000 per annum will be made available to run the service.
City of Dublin ETB will shortly begin the process of establishing the new UBU and will invite youth organisations to apply to run the new service.