Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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857. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs which Department will have responsibility for youth affairs. [15724/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The responsibility for youth affairs remains with my Department. While I am aware of some concerns, I can assure the Deputy that, despite 'Youth Affairs' not appearing in the title of the Department, it very much remains central to the remit of my Department.

Funding to the youth sector has been protected through the current period of financial challenge and I will strive to ensure that the profile of young people and their needs remains high throughout my time in office. I am particularly keen to ensure that the needs of vulnerable, marginalised and disadvantaged young people are taken into account, with specific consideration of how these needs have been impacted or exacerbated by Covid-19 and the resulting restrictions.

My officials and I will continue to work closely with sectoral representatives and young people themselves to ensure that strategy and resourcing is planned carefully to support the needs of young people in an optimum way.