On Wednesday, April 9th, representatives from Youth Work Ireland’s member youth services travelled to Dublin for our annual Oireachtas Briefing — a key opportunity to engage directly with elected representatives and highlight the pressing needs of young people and the youth work sector in Ireland. Held at the Freemason’s Hall on Molesworth Street, the event brought together young people, youth workers, youth service leaders and Oireachtas members for open, informal conversations around the current challenges and future potential of youth work in Ireland.
A central theme of this year’s briefing was the urgent need for increased and sustained funding for frontline youth services. Despite the critical role youth services play in communities, current funding levels have failed to keep pace with inflation and rising operational costs. Since 2018, Ireland’s youth population (ages 15–24) has grown by 12%, yet resources have not kept up with the growing demand.
Energy costs, compliance obligations, and service delivery expenses continue to rise, putting immense pressure on local services trying to meet the complex needs of young people. To ensure youth workers can continue delivering impactful support, an uplift in core funding is essential.
Another key focus of the day was Youth Work Ireland’s Youth Work for All campaign which is a vision where every young person, in every community, has access to high-quality, locally-based youth services. This includes a renewed commitment to youth clubs, which have historically provided safe, welcoming environments for young people to build relationships, develop skills, and grow in confidence. The Oireachtas Briefing offered a valuable opportunity to update legislators on the campaign’s progress and to highlight how local insights and national policy can come together to make this vision a reality.
As youth services expand to meet demand, the need for dedicated, accessible, and youth-friendly spaces has never been greater. Youth Work Ireland and its members advocated for a portion of the Government’s budget surplus to be invested in the development and refurbishment of youth infrastructure. This type of capital investment not only supports the immediate functioning of services but also delivers long-term social and economic returns, strengthening communities and supporting the development of young people across the country.
As the 34th Dáil begins its term, we see this dialogue as more important than ever. We are incredibly grateful to all the Oireachtas members who took the time to attend and engage with us. These conversations are a vital step in building shared understanding and driving policy change that reflects the needs of Ireland’s young people.
Our Asks for Oireachtas Briefing 2025
