Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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208. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with regards to youth work as the new Programme for Government commits to a new Youth Services Action Plan, despite the publication of the Opportunities for Youth national strategy only last September; if she will clarify whether her Department will provide resources to implement the Opportunities for Youth strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3835/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Action 17 of the Young Ireland: National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023 – 2028 commits to the development and implementation of a 'Youth Services Action Plan' to provide a strategic direction for the delivery of youth services. In response to this commitment, the outgoing Government approved the new national strategy entitled Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024 – 2028, which aims to provide a more strategic, data-driven and joined up approach to the delivery of youth work and related services in Ireland. The Opportunities for Youth strategy was published on the 18th of September 2024. The Youth Services Action Plan referenced in the Programme for Government provides a framework for implementing Opportunities for Youth.

In relation to the implementation of the strategy, work is underway on a number of actions for which the Department is the lead, including the Workforce Development Plan and the mapping of services. Officials are currently developing implementation approach to support delivery of agreed Opportunities for Youth actions and ensure effective mainstreaming of strategic objectives.