Youth Work

13 submissions made recommendations for the Youth Work sector (NCYI, IDEA, YWCI, YWI, YSI, IGG, CYPSC, Gaisce, Pobal, AC, TUI, staff member 1, DFA). IDEA, SJI and Gaisce discussed the impact of the pandemic on children and young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged or marginalised, and emphasised the role that youth work can play in alleviating this impact. NCYI welcomed the additional investment in youth work in Budget 2021 and called for investment to be sustained over the lifetime of the Government, while TUI called for a full reversal of cuts made to the sector in 2016. YWI called for the use of the existing integrated youth service model rather than delivered funding outside of the existing infrastructure, as reflected in the VFM review of youth programmes. IDEA recommended investing in services that deliver ICT and digital skills training to disadvantaged children and young people. The IGG also requested additional supports and resources to train, resource and equip volunteers on the ground, including the introduction of strong and reliable broadband nationwide. The IGG suggested further investment in rural Ireland through the Youth Service Grant, and asked that the Grant is afforded the same targeted funding as the UBU scheme. The IGG and staff member 1 also highlighted the need to support youth organisations that work with children aged under 10, particularly those between 7-9, who tend to be targeted by youth service schemes. The AC highlighted the importance of continued investment in youth arts organisations, and welcomed opportunities to expand and develop these partnerships.

YWI recommended that DCEDIY works with other Departments to link youth work provision with other policy priorities and agencies. They suggested that the Department focus on difficulties experienced by youth services in working with different Departments and agencies – due to a perceived lack of alignment in rules and approaches to governance and grant management – and recommended a more unified approach to service delivery. YWI recommended that finance and governance arrangements related to youth work are agreed upon by all key parties, and that “midlevel governance” does not exercise “an excessive micromanagement approach” to the sector, stating that this could become problematic under the Youth Work Act 2001.