10.8 Current debates and reforms
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Forthcoming policy developments
Ireland’s National Youth Strategy and National Policy Framework for Children and Young People both ended in 2020. Both documents recognised benefits of youth work. The government has announced its intention to publish a new youth strategy and new framework. The strategy is reported to include mechanisms for the voice and views of young people to be part of decision-making at community, county and national levels. It is also expected to include a 2- to 3-year Action Plan. Currently timelines for publishing these documents are not available.
The first strategic goal of the Statement of Strategy (2021-2023) recently published by the DCEDIY states that the department ‘will develop, implement and influence evidence informed policies and legislation that improve the outcomes for those we serve.’ The department plans on building on the successes of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures by developing a successor strategy and further developing cross-government, sectoral and inter-agency collaboration. The DCEDIY also plan on establishing a new National Youth Sector Engagement Structure and the implementation of a new Youth Strategy has already begun.
Action Plan for Youth Services
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are developing a new Action Plan for Youth Services. A commitment under the forthcoming new National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, the new Action Plan for Youth Services will enhance young people’s opportunities and outcomes through accessible and high-quality youth services.
The purpose of the new Action Plan for Youth Services will be to set out a clear policy and strategic direction for the further development of youth services in Ireland and to identity key actions to improve access and quality and to enhance the role of youth services in supporting young people’s well-being and improving their lives. It is also expected to include a focus on the enablers of quality services, including robust data and research and the key role of youth workers and volunteers.
A public consultation to inform the development of the new Action Plan took place from 1st June until 14th July 2023. The Action Plan is expected to be finalised by the end of 2023.
Ongoing debates
A lack of reliable wifi / broadband restricting digital youth work
A lack of reliable broadband in Ireland has been referenced for limiting digital youth work. This issue had previously been raised, for example in NYCI’s 2019 research into Youth Work in Rural Ireland identified a lack of quality broadband infrastructure in some rural areas as a significant limitation to digital youth work. This problem has been further highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic. NYCI’s Review of the Youth Work Sector Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic identified broadband access and connectivity as particularly effecting rural youths and young Travellers.
This issue was expected to be addressed by the National Broadband Plan. However, there has criticism of gaps in the scheme and it’s roll out by the Oireachtas (Irish legislature) Committee on Transport and Communications Networks.
National Digital Plan and ICT Support Unit for the youth work sector
The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) called for the development and resourcing of a National Digital Plan for the youth work sector, to support the sector to embed social and digital media in youth work practice. NYCI recommended that such a plan should incorporate supports to promote continuous training and professional development for all youth workers and include measurable actions to:
- encourage and support youth workers to embed social and digital media in their youth work practice
- enhance ICT capacity and awareness in youth work in partnership with relevant Government Departments and stakeholders
- encourage a culture of innovation and creativity
- increase investment in the ICT infrastructure to support and enhance the use of social and digital media in youth work and improve broadband infrastructure throughout the country particularly in rural regions
- provide information, advice and tools to promote safer, more responsible and more effective use of the social and digital media.
NYCI also recommended the establishment of an ICT Support Unit for the Youth Work sector, which would be responsible for implementing the National Digital Development Plan. The Unit would support youth workers in all aspects of ICT use in their youth work practice. This would include coordinating training, offering on-line safety guidance and assisting youth organisations to develop organisational policy on use of ICT.
The effect of Covid-19 on Youth Work
The global Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on youth work in Ireland. However, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) confirmed that the Irish government considers youth work as an essential service.
The DCEDIY has issued Guidance for Youth Work Organisations - Informed by the Government’s Resilience & Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. This guidance was prepared within the broader context of the Government’s Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19, and the Return to Work Safely Protocol.
Details on the pandemic’s effects to youth work in Ireland are described in the National Youth Council’s Review of the Youth Work Sector Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Recently, the NYCI have published Updated Covid-19 Guidance- Version 5 that provides information for youth organisations on resuming full services after Covid-19. This new guidance recognises that youth work provides a controlled environment for young people.
The NYCI has also developed supporting information for phased resumption of youth services with guidance sheets, templates and checklists to help youth workers in planning and resuming youth services.