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.