Mr. Paul Gordon:

In respect of the metrics and the evidence, there is obviously intrinsic value in youth work in and of itself and the experience it delivers to young people. The National Youth Council of Ireland, NYCI, has a campaign, Youth Work Changes Lives, of which I know the Senator is aware. That lifts up evidence by experience and that qualitative experience. Government Departments are obviously making decisions based on metrics, whether economic or otherwise, to support a business case for investment in youth work. That evidence is there. The Department has in the past year done a rapid review of international and Irish evidence as to the value and outcomes of youth work and that value is there across a range of areas, including education and better attainment in the workplace, as well as fostering greater social cohesion, which is incredibly important now. Ms Dunne touched on issues that the City of Dublin Youth Services Board's services are seeing in communities in Dublin city, particularly in respect of far right protests. Youth work has a significant role in that regard.

There is also an economic value. It is almost a byproduct of youth work. We did work about ten years which showed that every €1 invested in youth work generates €2.20 for the economy. Similar studies carried out more recently in England and Scotland have shown that as well. Evidence metrics are there to support decision-making. What is lacking in terms of data is understanding the scale and scope of the sector currently. It is something we in the NYCI has done before and would like to do again. It is very much funding dependent. As a trusted partner, we would like to be the ones to help deliver that. It needs to happen to help the Government make those decisions on the basis of data, evidence and its understanding of the scale of the sector.

The Senator asked about a long-term vision. NYCI has been working with its members in a consultative process over quite a long period to establish a shared vision for youth work. Professor Devlin has had a significant role in bringing that together. We will publish results shortly. We hope that will be influential in defining the scope of where youth work is going into the future under a variety of themes and setting the point that all young people living in Ireland can have that access to high-quality, well-resourced youth work services. That is ultimately what our vision will be. It is something we have developed in partnership with members across the country. Over the coming years, we will be looking for the support of members of the committee and others.