Campaigning for more investment in youth work services
Mia Mullen from Monaghan Town met with government representatives at a special event in Buswells Hotel, Dublin to highlight the urgent need for increased Government investment in youth work services in Budget 2027.
The event, organised by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), brought together young people, youth workers and volunteers from across Ireland to speak directly to their local Oireachtas members about the impact of youth work in their lives and communities.
Speaking at the event, Mia Mullen said youth work is a "highly needed" yet "undervalued resource" in community development.
"I am proud to be involved with an organisation like NYCI that fights so fiercely for the lives of young people. I am very grateful both to NYCI and my local politicians for giving me the opportunity to do so.”
NYCI is calling on Government to invest an additional €27.3 million in youth work in Budget 2027 to secure the foundations of youth work services across Ireland. The investment would help stabilise existing services and support safe, accessible youth spaces in communities across Ireland, according to the NYCI.
A survey of their members highlights the growing pressure facing youth work services across Ireland. Nearly 77% of respondents said they were concerned about having enough funding to provide services over the next 12 months, while 85% reported increased demand in the last six months.
Kathryn Walsh, Director of Policy and Advocacy at NYCI, said youth work provides young people with the "relationships, spaces and opportunities they need to grow and thrive, building stronger communities for all of us."
“Right now, youth work services across Ireland are under real pressure from rising costs and limited resources. Overhead costs are increasing and programmes are suffering as a result. With meaningful investment in Budget 2027, we can help ensure young people continue to have access to trusted adults, safe spaces and opportunities in their communities.
“Youth work changes lives, and today young people from every part of the country came together to make that message heard clearly by decision-makers.”
The event is part of NYCI’s #YouthWorkersChangeLives campaign, which highlights the power of youth work and calls on Government to invest in youth work services in Budget 2027. It is hosted by the NYCI Local Champions initiative, supported by Community Foundation Ireland, which aims to amplify the voices of young people and showcase the transformative power of youth work locally and nationally.