Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I applaud the witnesses on their submissions and on the work they do. I also take the opportunity to thank all of the youth workers in Dublin West, who do incredible work on the ground for their communities and for young people.

I am of a very similar view in that I feel universal youth services have suffered in recent years. There is a legacy issue there. I grew up in Tyrone. We had a youth club and that is where we all went during the summer holidays. That is where your first discos were. It was where the childcare, all the clubs and so on were. Young people are really missing out in not having access to youth clubs in their communities. Dr. Burke's submission nails it in that it is a social right. Those young people need to belong and not just when they are at school or in their GAA club or any other club. They need to be able to find the space where they belong. I have seen funding in recent years. For instance, funding for youth justice services in Dublin increased by 143% between 2019 and 2023. That is great, but it is targeted support. I do not like the idea that a young person has to fall off the cliff before there is intervention. If there is a culture and ecosystem of youth services, early intervention is a part of that but it is done in a very informal way. They are there to support people in moments of crisis before they develop a long-term problem. I see many social benefits to youth work.

It was said that the strategy was launched but there was no implementation plan. Is it normal that there would not be an implementation plan?