Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
506. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there are grant supports available through her Department to students who wish to take part in the European Youth Parliament; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17019/26]
View answerThe Department of Education and Youth has no role in relation to the funding of the European Youth Parliament or the provision of student grants to participate in the parliament.
However, the Deputy may be interested to know that the Department has allocated grant funding to the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) of €15,298 for 2026 in respect of the EU Youth Dialogue process. The EU Youth Dialogue facilitates and empowers young people to influence decision making on a local, national and European level and fosters connections between young people and decision-makers, including through the selection of Irish youth delegates to participate in the EU Youth Conference. The EU Youth Dialogue is the central participation tool for young people in the EU who wish to input into the development of EU youth policy. It is implemented in Ireland through the Young Voices programme, which is delivered by the NYCI in partnership with the National Working Group on EU Youth Dialogue.
In the second half of 2026, Ireland will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU. Ireland will therefore lead the 12th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue alongside Lithuania, and Greece. The Youth Affairs unit in the department will be responsible for progressing key matters on EU youth policy during the presidency. Youth Affairs aims to deliver an ambitious workplan on the area of EU youth policy including progression of a revised EU Youth Strategy and consultation with youth delegates on key issues affecting young people in Europe.
