Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2026
186. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can provide a list of advisory groups, working groups and taskforces that the youth affairs unit is represented on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13416/26]
View answerOn an ongoing basis, Youth Affairs unit engages with a broad range of policy and operational areas both within and external to the department, contributing to policy development and implementation as required on a bilateral or wider basis.
In relation to ongoing presence on specific groups, Youth Affairs chairs a Coordination Group for the development of a strategy for youth services and young people in the North East Inner City (NEIC). The group has been established to provide governance, strategic oversight, coordination, and guidance for the development of the strategy. The members include representatives from the Department of Education and Youth, Department of Justice, Department of Children Disability and Equality, Tusla, City of Dublin Education and Training Board, NEIC Programme Board and youth services.
In 2025 Youth Affairs established the Oíche na hÓige working group. The first Oíche na hÓige took place on Friday November 21st, 2025. Oíche na hÓige saw youth clubs and projects around the country open their doors to the wider community. The main purposes of this initiative was to build community awareness of, and celebrate, youth work services and youth clubs.
In relation to the implementation of Opportunities for Youth (OfY), the cooperation of all relevant actors will be supported through a new National Youth Sector Reference Group (NYSRG) and a group comprising representatives from departments and agencies that provide funding to or interact with the youth sector (Interdepartmental and Interagency Group on State-funded Youth Work Services).
Youth Affairs also reports on OFY progress annually through the Young Ireland governance structures, which includes the Young People’s Advisory Council and the Children and Young People’s Policy Forum.
Youth Affairs is currently part of an EU Presidency working group which is preparing for the Irish EU Presidency. Department officials are also participating in European Steering Group (ESG) meetings for the 12th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue. The European Steering Group consists of the trio partners, the European Commission, and the European Youth Forum. These meetings provide an opportunity to review and learn from previous cycles. They also allow Ireland to engage with its trio partners, Lithuania and Greece, and to make decisions as a collective about the 12th cycle going forward.
Youth Affairs is also represented on the Ireland-UK Youth Forum reference group, and additionally, are represented on the Youth Justice Oversight Group under the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
