On Wednesday 12 November, Dr Patrick J. Burke, CEO of Youth Work Ireland, addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth as part of its discussions on the implementation of the National Youth Strategy 2024–2028: Opportunities for Youth.
In his opening remarks, Dr Burke welcomed the publication of the new Strategy and its recognition of the vital role youth work plays in supporting young people’s personal, social, and civic development across Ireland. However, he emphasised that the success of the Strategy will depend on clear political will matched by sustained investment.
“Without adequate and sustained funding, the Strategy risks becoming aspirational rather than actionable.”
Investing in Youth Work Infrastructure
Dr Burke highlighted the increasing pressures facing youth services, including rising core costs, inflation, and regulatory demands. He stressed the need for robust core funding and multi-annual investment, enabling youth organisations to plan effectively, retain skilled staff, and build long-term, trusting relationships with young people
Youth Work as a Social Right
A central theme of the address was the call to recognise youth work as a social right. Dr Burke argued that every young person should have access to youth services and supports within their own community, describing this access as essential to equity, inclusion, and wellbeing rather than a discretionary add-on.
Information, Misinformation, and Youth Voice
Dr Burke also raised concerns that the current Strategy is largely silent on the importance of providing high-quality, trusted information to young people, particularly in an era of widespread misinformation and disinformation. He called for this work to be explicitly recognised and properly resourced as part of national youth policy.
Looking Beyond the Current Strategy
Looking to the future, Youth Work Ireland reiterated its call for a national strategy on quality youth spaces, ensuring that youth work is delivered in safe, welcoming, and purpose-built environments. Dr Burke also urged the Committee to support parity of esteem between youth work and the formal education system, recognising youth work as a core pillar of Ireland’s education and development landscape
Youth Work Ireland welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Committee’s deliberations and looks forward to continued engagement to ensure that the ambitions of the National Youth Strategy are fully realised for all young people.