Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

796. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide information on the funding being provided for child and youth participation during Ireland’s EU Presidency in 2026; the initiatives being planned by her Department; the collaboration planned with other departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55465/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Ireland will have the responsibility for progressing the EU agenda for the second half of 2026. The Presidency will also provide an opportunity to spotlight issues where we have special expertise, and Ireland is a world-leader on child and youth participation.

During Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Department plans to host a High-Level Conference on the participation of children and young people in decision making. The Department will seek to work with our European partners, including the European Participation Platform, to promote the importance of child and youth participation across the EU.

Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are intensifying across Government. Two cross-departmental groups, chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, are co-ordinating this preparatory work. Officials from this Department are actively engaged in these groups, which focus on the policy and operational aspects of Ireland's Presidency.

As stakeholder consultations begin to inform the development of Ireland’s Presidency programme, the Department is supporting consultations with young people through Seanad na nÓg in November 2025. Ireland's policy programme will be published, as is usual practice, shortly before the start of our Presidency term, in June 2026.

Specific funding allocations for Presidency events and activities are to be determined and will be progressed after the high-level calendar for the Irish Presidency is confirmed later this year.