Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
172. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can advise when the new set of actions will be developed for the period 2027 to 2028 as part of Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services; if she can provide a timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10936/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national strategy for youth work and related services, Opportunities for Youth (OfY), was published in September 2024. The implementation of OfY will be reported on via the Young Ireland governance structures, including the Young Ireland Advisory Council and the Children and Young People’s Policy Forum
To deliver on its vision, OfY identifies three strategic objectives that will shape the future direction for youth work opportunities and services over the lifetime of the Young Ireland framework.
Strategic Objective 1: The role of youth work services in enhancing the lives of young people is strengthened, more visible and better aligned with other services.
Strategic Objective 2: An equality and rights-based approach is embedded across all youth work services and supporting structures.
Strategic Objective 3: Youth work services are high quality, accountable, sustainable and shaped by relevant data and evidence.
The strategy was informed by extensive consultations with young people and other stakeholders, which is reflected in its scope and ambition.
Since publication, work on the delivery of many of the 18 actions has been progressed by the department and by the youth sector. An action plan is being prepared for publication to capture the work done to date and for delivery in 2026. Consultation with key partners will take place before publication.
The department has received significant input already from the youth sector which is reflected in the draft plan, and which will inform the actions to be developed for the period 2027 to 2028.
Both the implementation, and the cooperation of all relevant actors, will be supported through a new National Youth Sector Reference Group (NYSRG) as well as 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).
The purpose of the NYSRG is to provide balanced and transparent input from across the youth sector into national decision-making. The group will include representatives from national youth organisations, youth work experts, and young people themselves.
The NYSRG will be an important platform for the delivery of the current suite of OfY actions, and for the development of actions for 2027-2028. It is intended that this group will also engage with the Interdepartmental and Interagency Group on State-funded Youth Work Services, to inform national decision making.
