294. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide details on research that is currently being funded by her Department in respect of youth work and youth affairs. [66819/26]

The Department of Education and Youth recognises the importance of a strong evidence base to inform youth policy and practice. Under Action 16 of Opportunities for Youth, the national policy framework for youth work, the department committed to "establish a funding line and national-level mechanism to support an enhanced evidence base in respect of key policy and practice issues affecting youth work." The need for enhanced research and improved evidence to support policy development and service delivery was raised throughout the consultation process for the policy framework, with a particular emphasis on ensuring that research aligns with national priorities for youth work.

In this context, the department is currently supporting a number of research initiatives in the youth affairs area.

In partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta, the department is currently seeking suitably qualified parties to undertake an evidence-informed action research project examining the Irish Language Youth Work Pilot being delivered by Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB and Kerry ETB. The project is a collaborative initiative involving Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB, Kerry ETB, Muintearas, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Department of Education and Youth.

The research programme will involve An Oibrí Óige and other youth work practitioners undertaking a process evaluation of local projects using a common methodology across Gaeltacht case-study sites in North Mayo (Gaeltacht Iorras) and Kerry (Corca Dhuibhne and Uíbh Ráthach). The research will document and evaluate, on an ongoing basis, the benefits, achievements, challenges and outcomes arising from the engagement between youth workers and Irish-speaking young people and their families over a three-year funding cycle. The evaluation framework will examine the extent to which young people enjoy and benefit from the interventions, including their social and personal development outcomes, and the extent to which they engage with youth work supports through the Irish language. The findings will contribute to the development of youth work and Irish language policy and practice.

The department is also working with Maynooth University on the Measuring the Impact of Youth Organisations (MIYO) project within the Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative (TYESI). TYESI seeks to enhance the employability skills and competencies of young people through youth work. The MIYO project has developed an automated outcomes tracking system, incorporating an online survey tool and visual reporting dashboard, to assist youth workers, ETBs and the Department in measuring and tracking outcomes over time. The tool enables participating young people to record their progress from entry to a programme onwards and measures development across seven key outcome areas: communication skills; confidence and agency; planning and problem-solving; relationships; resilience and determination; emotional intelligence; and innovative thinking. The project is intended to strengthen the evidence base regarding the contribution of youth work interventions to young people's personal development and employability.

In addition, a research project entitled Responding to Youth Social Withdrawal: An Exploration of Youth Work as an Intervention Strategy was completed earlier this year. The research, funded by the department, was undertaken by the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at the University of Galway in collaboration with Galway and Roscommon ETB and Limerick and Clare ETB.

The study examined the growing issue of youth social withdrawal and explored the role of youth work as an early intervention and support mechanism. The findings indicate that youth work provides a safe, informal and relationship-based environment that supports the gradual re-engagement of socially withdrawn young people. The research identified a number of strengths of youth work practice, including the development of trusting relationships, the provision of safe and youth-friendly spaces, tailored and youth-led programming, and opportunities for peer connection. The study also highlighted challenges including funding pressures, staffing constraints and limited access to dedicated youth spaces.

A significant feature of the project was the involvement of a Youth Advisory Committee comprising 12 young people with lived experience of social withdrawal, who contributed throughout the research process. The study concluded that youth work represents a valuable community-based intervention for socially withdrawn young people and identified a number of policy considerations, including the need for sustained investment in youth work services, enhanced youth infrastructure, greater public awareness of youth work, and further research to strengthen the evidence base in this area.

Through these initiatives, the department continues to support the development of research and evidence to inform youth policy, programme development and service delivery.