Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

One of the areas of responsibility within the Department of Education and Science is the support and development of the youth work sector in Ireland. Responsibility for the youth work sector is now being transferred to the Office of the Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs. The overall purpose of the youth work service is to assist young people to realise their full potential and to become active participants in a democratic society.

I am very conscious of the great benefits that can accrue to our young people from involvement in youth work and of the benefits for society as a whole. I am also aware that this recognition requires appropriate support. Through the youth affairs section of the Department, work has been ongoing with the National Youth Council of Ireland, the National Youth Work Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of other Departments, the vocational education committees and other interested parties to support youth work activities. This support is provided by way of financial and other assistance.

Youth work programmes and services are provided primarily by voluntary youth work organisations. In this regard, a range of financial supports for the sector includes support for projects for disadvantaged young people under the special projects for youth scheme, to national youth organisations under the youth service grant scheme, to a network of youth information centres and to local clubs and groups throughout the country.

Over 50 voluntary youth organisations operate in Ireland, with a stated membership of 450,000. More than 40,000 voluntary youth leaders are the main educators, with support from approximately 1,000 full-time staff. These organisations and their young members are represented and supported in their work by the National Youth Council of Ireland. The council is pivotal to the provision and development of youth work in Ireland and the dedication and commitment of its staff to member and affiliate organisations is widely recognised.

The programmes operated by the voluntary youth work organisations vary widely and include outdoor pursuits, arts, recreation, project work and international exchanges. Qualities and skills such as leadership, co-operation, decision making, motivation and self responsibility are acquired by young people through this non-formal learning process.

The youth work sector has received unprecedented financial support over the past number of years. Youth services funding by the Department of Education and Science expanded from €35.5 million in 2004 to €56.6 million in 2008. Although this funding has allowed for some expansion in the sector, there has been a growing emphasis on consolidation of services.

The 2009 budget allocation for youth services from the Department of Education and Science is €48.2 million, a decrease of 8% on the 2008 figure. Funding is also provided for youth services from a number of other Departments and agencies. The reduced allocation in the youth budget from the Department of Education and Science will require much tighter budget management and prioritisation which may impact on pay and administration costs.

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