Press Releases Home » Who We Are » Press Releases May 31st, 2026 Staffing and funding issues threaten the ability of youth groups to deal with mental health, poverty and disinformation locally, says a leading youth organisation in its budget submission. May 1st, 2026 Youth Work Ireland is proud to announce that the Irish Youth Music Awards (IYMAs) National Day 2026 will take place on Saturday, May 9th at the Axis Theatre in Ballymun, Dublin.usic Awards April 20, 2026 A Pioneering Digital Youth Space designed by Young People for Young People: Youth Work Virtual is launching a “Safe by Design” Digital Youth Space as digital giants collapse their services April 10, 2026 Youth Work Ireland Week 2026 Celebrates the Power of Young People to Get LOUDER and Drive Change February 17, 2026 Ireland’s First National Youth Climate Justice Assembly to Take Place at the Rotunda Hospital November 20th, 2025 Near Two Thirds Increase in Youth Unemployment in 2025 Labour Force Survey a canary in the economic coalmine and cannot be ignored November 12th, 2025 Staffing and funding issues threaten the ability of youth groups to deal with mental health, poverty and disinformation locally November 4th, 2025 Connacht’s First Youth Climate Justice Assembly to Empower Young People in Regional Climate Action September 23rd 2025 Dail needs to follow anti-social behaviour motion with equivalent support for grassroots youth work – says Leading Youth Organisation July 17th, 2025 Ireland May Become an Outlier on Votes at 16, as UK embraces younger voters says Leading Youth Organisation June 28th, 2025 Young Voices, Loud and Proud: Youth Work Ireland’s Proud Spaces Rural Youth Groups Lead Protest for Equality at Dublin Pride April 7th, 2025 Youth Work Ireland Week launches with an urgent demand to Government to act now to secure the future of youth work services. January 16th, 2025 New Government is Lacking Ambition for Young People – Demonstrates yet Again a Refusal to Prioritise their Needs November 18th, 2024 Lack of reference to youth work or youth services a “major omission” in Fine Gael Manifesto according to leading youth organisation. November 4th, 2024 “Youth Work for All” campaign launched in Dublin – Post budget disappointment and anger in run up to election. October 5th, 2024 Youth Work Ireland’s Youth Wave hits Abbottstown, Dublin, this weekend October 1st, 2024 Rhetoric does not match reality on young people in budget. September 23rd, 2024 Youth Work Ireland launch a new evidence-based model of LGBTQI+ youth work practice to support young LGBTQI+ people in rural Ireland who, despite progress, continue to face isolation, discrimination and exclusion. July 18th, 2024 Youth services may need to scale back work if staffing and inflation pressures not addressed in Budget 2025 June 29th, 2024 Young LGBTQI+ people from rural Irish communities get a chance to shine at this year’s Dublin Pride parade. June 12th, 2024 Low Pay Commission Recommendation on Sub-minimum Wage Should be Acted on Immediately. May 28th, 2024 Government’s Charter a Step in the Right Direction but More still Needed for all Young People to Transition to Employment. March 15th, 2024 Don’t make us choose between voting, and Maths and Geography” – Leaving Cert Students disappointed that call for Local and European Elections to be held on Saturday, June 8th, rather than on an exam day was not answered. March 6th, 2024 Young First Time Voters Call for the Removal of Sexism, along with an Inclusion for the Protection of Carers and the Recognition of all Families Within our Constitution. January 24th, 2024 Don’t make us choose between voting, and Maths and Geography” – Leaving Cert Students call for Local and European Elections to be held on Saturday, June 8th, rather than on an exam day. January 18th, 2024 Youth funding rapidly falling behind other community groups – Two tier system must be avoided. October 4th, 2023 International conference prepares Youth Information workers to tackle the opportunities and challenges arising from AI and the metaverse July 14th, 2023 Youth Centres a Natural Home for Budget Cash June 16th, 2023 Ireland Amongst Member States Highlighted for Unequal Treatment of Young People in the Labour Market May 17th, 2023 Delivery and Implementation the Challenge for new SPHE Programme” says Leading Youth Organisation May 1st, 2023 Ireland may become an outlier on Votes at 16, as Belgium begins to register 16- and 17-year-olds for Euro elections” says leading youth organization. April 6th, 2023 Volunteering key Resource in Hard Times says Leading Youth Organisation at Training Pack Launch November 21, 2022 Ireland may become an outlier on Votes at 16, north south issues beckon. October 12 2022 Budget 2023 was extremely disappointing for young people and those who work with them according to Youth Work Ireland in letter to Minister O’Gorman October 4, 2022 ASBOs have little to offer in youth justice system. September 21 2022 Young People Need Greater Support in Budget 2023 to avoid bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis September 8 2022 Data Protection Commissioner’s Fine Illustrates Tech Giants Need Specific Monitoring In Relation to Children and Young People August 23 2022 Young people living in Direct Provision Centres can no longer wait to have their rights affirmed, vindicated and upheld. June 20 2022 Government has a Major Role in Responding to Mental Health and Other Issues for Teens June 14 2022 No Word on Young People who Receive Sub-Minimum Wage in Move to Living Wage April 14 2022 Leading Provider of LGBTI Youth Projects Echoes Garda Call on Safety – Youth Projects Can Support LGBTI Young People Particularly in Remote Areas. April 4 2022 Power to the (young) people: Almost 70% of young people questioned believe they have the power to change society for the better – Data supports the release of Youth Work Ireland’s five-year Strategic Statement, launched by Minister Roderic O’Gorman. March 29 2022 NCCA Process on Leaving Cert Should Involve Young People from all Backgrounds” says Leading Youth Organisation March 16 2022 Leading Youth Organisation Mobilises for Ukrainian Refugee Challenge February 23 2022 Leading Youth Organisation to Spearhead European Work with Young LGBTI+ People with new funding February 1 2022 Leaving Cert Decision, a Step Back in Critical Reform of Education System Says Leading Youth Organisation September 21 2021 Budget 2022 must address post Covid needs of young people who bore most of the brunt of the crisis, says Leading Youth Organisation July 19 2021 “Young People Working in Hospitality Will Be Paid Less Than Minimum Wage on Re-opening of Indoor Dining” says Leading Youth Organisation July 01 2021 “Young People Cannot be Less Favourably Treated in any Further Reopening due to their Vaccination Status – Solidarity is a two-way Process” Says Leading Youth Organisation June 28 2021 “Youth Clubs need Reinvigoration and Support” after Covid Says Leading Youth Organisation June 25 2021 Youth Organisations #BringingPrideHome for LGBTI+ Young People Across Ireland May 06 2021 MEP’s to present on Future of Europe Conference to Dublin Teens April 26 2021 Monday’s Reopening to be Led by Outdoor Youth Work Celebration April 19 2021 “Apprenticeship Plan Welcome, New Occupations and New Routes Need to be Prioritised for Young People” Says Leading Youth Organisation April 15 2021 “Youth Justice Strategy Continues in the Right Direction” says Leading Youth Organisation March 31 2021 Leading Youth Organisation to Make the Most of Reopening on April 26th with Outdoor Work Focus September 07 2020 “Results Day Illustrates Exam System Can be Changed Despite Challenges” says Leading Youth Organisation July 30 2020 Mental Health and Alcohol Still Major Issues for Teens says Leading Youth Organisation in Response to Latest Growing Up In Ireland Survey June 16 2020 Youth Work Ireland has launched a new campaign, marking Pride month, to support young LGBTI+ people impacted by digital poverty #GivetheGiftofPride June 03 2020 “Massive Youth Unemployment Shock will Require Major Response in post Covid World” says Leading Youth Organisation May 08 2020 Leaving Cert Saga Illustrates How Distant Decision Makers are From Young People’s Lives and Concerns – Says Leading Youth Organisation May 06 2020 “New Government Needs Unity on Question of Leaving Exam” Says Leading Youth Organisation April 03 2020 “Young Peoples Voice Must be Central to Exam Decisions” Says Leading Youth Organisation March 24 2020 “Young People and Parents Need Clarity on Exams, Most Disadvantaged in Danger of Missing Out” Says Leading Youth Organisation March 13 2020 Youth workers deploy digital methods to engage with young people during school closures January 23 2020 Youth Work Ireland is proud to be part of the ‘Open Generation’, a cross-border and cross-community project aiming to build positive relations by developing emotional resilience, empathy and understanding. November 05 2019 “Young People’s Rights to Inclusive Sex Education and Information not Being Met” Major youth conference in Dublin hears October 29 2019 “Ireland at Risk of Being Left behind if UK Embraces Votes at 16 for December Election” Says Leading Youth Organisation June 27 2019 Over 500 LGBTI+ young people will march with Youth Work Ireland and belong to Youth Services at Dublin Pride June 05 2019 Critical After School Projects for the Most Disadvantaged Children set to Close due to Childcare Payment Change” Says Leading Youth Organisation May 15 2019 Young people taking direct actioin to change how sexual health and consent is taught in Irish schools. April 25 2019 Young and Trans in Rural Ireland – First of its kind resource for young people launched today will help Ireland become more trans-inclusive. January 30 2019 “No Deal Brexit Creating Uncertainty Today for ERASMUS+ Applicants” says Leading Youth Organisation September 25 2018 New Jobs Programme and action on Substance Misuse in Budget will be the real test of recovery for young people” Says Leading Youth Organisation in Budget Submission June 30 2018 Minister Katherine Zappone and former President, Mary McAleese march alongside LGBTI+ young people at Dublin PRIDE Paradeongside LGBTI+ young people at Dublin PRIDE Parade April 23 2018 Young people turn away from teachers and parents and towards the internet for sex education April 09 2018 “Sinn Fein Bill Highlights Legalized Pay Discrimination for Those Doing Equal Work Side by Side” says Leading Youth Organisation March 21 2018 “Seanad Bill on Votes at 16 Overdue for All Party Support” Says Leading Youth Organisation January 29 2018 Clare Youth Service Launch Youth Identity Project October 26 2017 Work with young people in “hot spots” on the streets out of hours central to new youth work model launched today by Minister Zappone at Equality 17 Youth Work Irelands annual Conference Today September 22 2017 Children’s Minister Launches New Internet Safety Programme with Youth Work Ireland and McAfee Security September 21 2017 “New Jobs Programme and action on Substance Misuse in Budget will be the real test of recovery for young people” Says Leading Youth Organisation in Budget Submission June 26 2017 Largest ever single group of young people marching in Pride Dublin 2017 May 30 2017 Extension of Innovative Experience for Jobs Programme with Youth Groups, Private Sector and Garda Diversion Projects Launched Today by Minister David Stanton TD April 25 2017 Youth Work Ireland’s Irish Youth Music Awards (IYMAs) marked its ten-year anniversary in Croke Park April 24 2017 Generation Welcome – Young people in Ireland leading the way on Equality March 30 2017 “Sinn Fein’s Seanad Bill on Votes at 16 worthy of All Party Support” Says Leading Youth Organisation March 30 2017 Youth Services Lead with Traveller Support Pack Following State Recognition March 02 2017 “Youth Services Can Lead the Way on Working with Travellers After Ethnic Recognition” Says Leading Youth Organisation November 14 2016 BREXIT and social issues dominate inaugural meeting of the British Irish Parliamentary Youth Assembly in Dublin aimed at giving young people an input to key issues in the relations on the two islands. October 29 2016 Youth Work Ireland and Carlow Regional Youth Services launch major mental health programme for young people. October 26 2016 Hundreds Gather at WellBeing 2016 Conference to Discuss Role of Youth Services in Improving Mental Health and Young Peoples Well Being October 11 2016 “Sugar Tax Delay a Licence for Lobbying Industry to Ramp Up Opposition to Public Health Measure” Says Leading Youth Organisation October 06 2016 “Still more work needed on data and transparency on EU Youth Guarantee following Commission Report” says leading youth organisation October 04 2016 “New Post Jobbridge Programme and action on Substance Misuse in Budget will be the real test of recovery for young people” Says Leading Youth Organisation in Budget Submission August 31 2016 Major European Youth Meeting for Killarney July 01 2016 Teens from all over Ireland bring the fun to Limerick April 19 2016 Record numbers of LGBT young people set to march in Dublin Pride 2016
