Relevant Matter
Matters involving public funds
Public Policy Area
Children and Youth Affairs
Period
1 May, 2024 to 31 Aug, 2024
Specific Details
Pre Budget Submission to highlight key priorities for youth work. Government’s policy document, Young Ireland, clearly asserts that “access to mainstream youth services is valuable for all young people, whatever their circumstances.” Youth Work Ireland of which LYS is a member is committed to bringing universal access to youth work to fruition. Requested support by highlighting to Minister Roderic O'Gorman the following:
Intended results
1. Equitable Treatment for Youth Workers: Youth workers have significantly fallen behind comparable professions in terms of salary and working conditions. It is imperative that the Department addresses this inequity and ensures that youth workers receive terms and conditions commensurate with the vital roles they fulfill
2. Adequate Funding for Frontline Youth Services: Over recent years, funding for frontline youth services and projects has not kept pace with inflation. To continue delivering essential services, these funding gaps must be addressed in the upcoming budget
3. Support for Youth Clubs and Youth Information Centers: These centers have encountered substantial challenges in recovering from the impacts of COVID-19. National organizations, in particular, require sufficient funding to effectively recruit, support, retain, and honor volunteer youth workers, who are integral to these services
4. Capital Budget for Youth Facilities: Given the Government’s substantial budget surpluses, it is essential to establish a dedicated capital budget for youth facilities. Investment in these facilities is necessary to support the ongoing development and expansion of youth services nationwide
5. Comprehensive Support for Young People: Young people need a broad spectrum of assistance in areas such as housing, health, education, and employment. Addressing these needs should be central to the Government’s youth policies, ensuring that all young people have access to the opportunities and support they require to reach their full potential
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Zoe Gogarty
Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?)
No
Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign?
No
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Email (1)
Having met the DPO's at the Youth Work Ireland Oireachtas Briefing, an email was sent each of them to lobby Minister Roderic O'Gorman on the points above.
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them.
As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.
Willie O'Dea
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Maurice Quinlivan
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Kieran O'Donnell
Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)
Roderic O'Gorman
Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)