Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Senator said, the benefits to young people of engagement with youth clubs and youth work are many, from making friends and trying new activities to meeting a youth worker or volunteer - the one good adult - who can make a huge difference in a young person’s life. Youth workers support young people to stay in school, engage in pro-social behaviour and become contributing members of their communities.

Officials in the Minister’s Department are currently reviewing the delivery of youth services and are developing a new youth service action plan.The action plan will give strategic direction to improving young people's access to quality youth service and spaces over the next five years. The development of the action plan has featured intensive consultation with the youth sector and young people. The action plan is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2024. As I said, the Government remains committed to supporting this important sector, which has enormous value for the many young people involved and to society as a whole.