Written answer
Youth Services
1250. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there are plans within her Department, including in budget 2027, for an assessment of the funding of youthwork services in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59818/26]
Comment on this
The department continually reviews its youth funding schemes and programmes to ensure they are responsive to the evolving needs of young people, support the delivery of high-quality services across the State, and provide value for public investment. As part of this work, existing schemes are examined on an ongoing basis to ensure they remain fit for purpose, address emerging challenges, support youth organisations in delivering quality services, and are underpinned by appropriate governance and oversight arrangements.
In parallel, the department is progressing a number of strategic actions under the Opportunities for Youth framework, notably Action 3, which is central to enhancing the governance and coherence of youth work services.
Action 3 provides for the establishment of a cross-departmental and agency group bringing together representatives from departments and agencies that fund or engage with the youth sector. This group will be integrated, where possible, with the Young Ireland governance structures and the Young Ireland Policy Forum and will support the development of a renewed whole-of-Government vision for State-funded youth work services, promote greater coherence across funding streams and policies, and strengthen joined-up approaches to the planning and delivery of youth services.
The findings of this ongoing work, together with wider policy and expenditure considerations, inform the department's engagement in the annual Estimates process. Budget 2027 will be considered by Government in that context and, as the process is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
However, I would like to note that I hope to build on the progress made in Budget 2026, ensuring continued support for key priorities and developments.