Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1922.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will give further consideration to the representations outlined by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33192/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My officials have received and considered the report referred to in the letter.

The Government is committed to delivering for all young people and to creating an enabling environment for all young people to thrive. Improving youth outcomes requires a whole of Government approach. Last year, I published Young Ireland: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, which sets out the priority issues to be addressed for young people (0-24) and sets out clear commitments for key Departments with responsibilities in the most relevant policy areas, including housing, youth mental health and employment.

Young Ireland re-establishes governance structures to provide a forum for stakeholder engagement, drive implementation of existing policy commitments, and ensure accountability in the development of further policies impacting children and young people. All Young Ireland governance structures ultimately report to the Cabinet Committee on Children, Education and Disability.

Work is currently underway to establish these governance structures, including the Young Ireland Advisory Council and the Children and Young People’s Policy Forum.

The Policy Forum will oversee and support implementation of Young Ireland. It will have senior representation from all government departments; and relevant agencies, as well as from the Young Ireland Advisory Council. The Policy Forum will report to the Senior Officials Group and ultimately to the Cabinet Committee on Children, Education and Disability.

In addition, my Department continues to invest significantly in youth services throughout the country. From 2020 to Budget 2024, current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes increased from €62 million to €78 million, a 26% increase overall. In relation to employment activation in particular, €1 million is being committed this year to establish the Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative. This initiative will support approximately 3000 young people aged 15 to 24 years who are not being reached by mainstream training or employment supports, by providing community-based support and interventions to improve their soft skills, confidence and agency and to support their engagement in progression pathways including education, training and employment.

In September 2024, my Department will publish a new National Strategy on Youth Work to provide us with a strengthened strategic approach to further support and develop young people’s developmental opportunities.