Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I met the National Youth Council of Ireland and we discussed its budget submission. I met it individually and also as part of a much wider annual forum we have with those in the youth sector to discuss challenges including funding and recruitment. We discuss the range of challenges they have but also the amazing work they do. The Deputy is absolutely right that the youth sector bore a very disproportionate share of cuts during the economic recession and has been playing catch-up for a long time. It is not fully caught up yet but I have been able to do a significant amount over the last three years. In every budget, I endeavour to do more because this is a sector that is close to my own heart and I will be doing my best this year. The Deputy knows the range of my Department. We were discussing disabilities a moment ago and I was discussing childcare with some of his colleagues earlier. There is a range of very real needs across my Department but I see the importance of youth work. I see its importance for young people. I see the great work the workers the Deputy spoke about do in their individual communities in supporting young people, in diverting them through very real interventions, sometimes in crisis situations where young people are really at risk of being dragged into addiction or criminality or might suffer significant mental health situations. We want to continue to resource that and my Department will continue to support organisations like this and others all over the country.

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