Youth Policy in Ireland

Youth policy-making in Ireland is under the responsibility of the Irish government, and youth policy governance takes place at a national level. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is the main government department responsible for youth policy in Ireland. However, many pieces of youth policy take a cross-departmental or a whole of government approach. Within the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth there is a Youth Affairs Unit. This unit supports the alignment of policies and services related to youth with other Departmental policies and services, as well as with the broader policy and services field.

The Irish youth work sector is strongly dependent on non-profit organisations, many of which are at least partially funded by the government.

The government's strategic objectives include a number of objectives related to young people: 

• implementing Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020, a national policy framework for children and young people
• ensuring that parents are supported to parent confidently and positively
• ensuring child welfare and protection systems are effective and responsive
• promoting and supporting evidence-based policy, and letting children and young people participate in decisions that affect their lives
• supporting high standards of compliance on governance and accountability
• improving performance through the alignment of resources.