Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
307. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which the proposed national youth sector reference group will interface with the interdepartmental/interagency group to ensure sector input directly informs budgetary and policy decisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13488/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national strategy for youth work and related services, Opportunities for Youth (OfY), was published in September 2024.
Both the implementation of OfY, and 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).
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 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, including budgetary and policy decisions.
The manner in which these groups will interact will be determined when they both meet for the first time in Q1 2026.
