Ireland

The latest youth policy in Ireland is the National Youth Strategy (2015-2020). The strategy is based on Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures - National Policy Framework for Children & Young People (2014-2020).

The Statement of Strategy (2021-2023) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) states that the DCEDIY "will develop quality, evidence-informed youth policy, including through the establishment of a new National Youth Sector Engagement Structure and the production of a renewed Youth Strategy."

According to a 2022 press release from the DCEDIY,

"The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is developing a new policy framework for children and young people (0-24). This policy framework will cover the period 2023-2028, and focus on how Government works to realise the rights of children and young people in Ireland."

As of now, the DCEDIY has released a Blueprint of the Policy Framework for Children and Young People.

Youth policy governance in Ireland takes place at the national level, with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) being the main governmental authority responsible for youth. Within this department, the Youth Justice, Adoption, Youth and Participation Division is responsible for developing youth policy and legislation, reforming youth justice services and youth funding programmes, and ensuring that the voices of children and young people are heard in the decision making process.

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is a membership organisation that represents the shared interests of voluntary youth organisations in Ireland. It aims to build solidarity among members to advocate on issues that impact the lives of young people and to promote the development of evidence-informed, high-quality youth work. The current priorities of the NYCI are youth work, social inclusion, and active citizenship. The NYCI hosts several training programmes to support youth work, with focuses on youth arts, child protection, development education, equality and interculturalism, youth health, international activities, and STEAM and digital youth work.

The Youth Work Act (2001) defines youth work as:

"A planned programme of education designed for the purpose of aiding and enhancing the personal and social development of young persons through their voluntary participation, and which is (a) complementary to their formal, academic or vocational education and training, and; (b) provided primarily by voluntary youth work organisations."

Following the enactment of the Youth Work Act, a National Youth Work Development Plan (2003-2007) was put into effect, which provided clearer goals for youth work. Since the creation of the National Youth Work Development Plan, there has been no further development of youth work strategies. However, the National Youth Strategy (2015-2020) acknowledges the importance of youth work in achieving all of its aims, and reports that 43% of youth in Ireland participate in youth work activities and programmes.

While there is no information available on a dedicated budget for the national youth policy, according to the Government's Budget in Brief 2023, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is allocated EUR 2.45 billion (USD 2.63 billion). It is unclear how much of this budget is allocated to youth specifically.

Additionally, according to an 18 January 2021 press release, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth announced EUR 66.8 million (USD 71.7 million) in youth funding. This budget included funds for the targeted funding scheme UBU Your Place Your Space, national youth organisations, youth clubs, youth information centres, education and training boards, support for the LGBTI+ Youth Strategy (2018-2020), and the development of a new youth strategy. This budget is an increase of 8% from previous years.