Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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165. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the implementation plan of the National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024-2028, which was published in September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52958/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services is the strategic framework for the youth work sector, published in September 2024. The strategy aims to build awareness of youth services, strengthen youth services, and ensure that youth services remain accessible and of value to young people across Ireland.

The implementation of the strategy will be reported on via the Young Ireland governance structures. Both implementation, and the cooperation of all relevant actors will be supported through a new National Youth Sector Reference Group as well as a group comprising representatives from departments and agencies that provide funding to or interact with the youth sector. Action 50 in the Education Plan for 2025 aims to establish these structures by the end of 2025.

My officials are drafting an operational action plan to support implementation of the strategy, and engagement with stakeholders involved in the delivery of these actions will take place in early course.

Work is progressing on the delivery of several other actions for which the department has lead responsibility.

Under Action 7, a workforce survey was developed in late 2024 and disseminated to youth workers to establish baseline data and information. This data is being analysed at present. In March 2025, a questionnaire issued to youth organisations to provide my department with a more in-depth understanding of the challenges experienced by youth organisations in workforce recruitment and retention.

Under Action 8, work has begun on a review of the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. The review will assess how the scheme operates, the extent to which the scheme is meeting its objectives, and whether the processes and procedures that underpin the scheme are fit for purpose.

Under Action 9, extensive progress has been made on the development of a comprehensive mapping tool. This includes the creation of an internal dashboard, which forms a foundational element of Phase 1. It is intended to create a dynamic map designed to serve as a central resource for young people and their guardians and educators to improve awareness of and access to youth services across the country.