Press Releases

Published date: 26 Sep 2024

Almost 9 in 10 of the public agree Government should increase funding in youth work to make it accessible for every young person

As part of End Child Poverty Week that spotlights they key drivers of child and youth poverty and solutions to break the cycle of poverty impacting thousands of children, the Children’s Rights Alliance commissioned new research, conducted by RED C. The findings show overwhelming public support for child poverty measures, including increasing funding to the youth work sector to make it accessible to all children and young people.

Speaking in response to the findings, Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance said:

“Government must now recognise the importance of other universal measures that create an equal ecosystem for children and young people, remove barriers in accessing vital supports and create opportunities for every young person to reach their full potential. Youth work can provide this foundational support for all young people, but years of under-funding has effectively meant that not every young person can access youth work when and where they need it. This has to change, and an overwhelming majority of the public agree. The Government cannot ignore the landslide public support for increased investment in youth work that comes through these findings.”

“It has taken several budget cycles, but we are now seeing the positive impact of the sustained investment in universal measures like the Free School Book Scheme and the Hot School Meals on children, young people and families across the country. These provisions level the playing field for all children and young people but are crucial supports for children and young people experiencing poverty. The public clearly recognise this. ”

The Alliance supports calls made by youth work organisations for increased investment of €15 million in youth work services in Budget 2025.

• Over half the public strongly agree that the government should increase funding for youth work to ensure it is accessible to all young people in their local community (89% agree – 53% strongly, 36% slightly)

“We are privileged to work with so many youth work organisations in our membership and hear first-hand the hear success stories where accessing youth work has transformed or even saved the lives of young people and it is clear the majority of people agree that youth work is particularly effective when it comes to supporting young people who are experiencing multiple deprivations and unimaginable hardships. Youth work steps in to support all young people in communities across Ireland, including young people on the margins of society who have not found support anywhere else.”

Tackling Disadvantage

• Almost half of the public strongly agree that youth work provides vital supports for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds (88% agree – 49% strongly agree, 39% slightly agree)
• Almost half of the public strongly agree that youth work in the community is an effective way of helping children in disadvantaged areas to reach their full potential (88% agree – 49% strongly agree, 39% slightly agree)
• Almost half of people strongly agree that youth work is an effective way to promote young people’s connection with and sense of identity and belonging in their community and wider society (89% agree – 49% strongly, 40% slightly)

“Young people experiencing poverty have to fight against the social exclusion that comes with it – they might not be able to attend their friends’ birthday party because they cannot afford it, they may not be able to engage in school because they are arriving hungry and some young people do not feel safe in their home or local environment. Poverty holds children and young people back from opportunities to live a happy and fulfilled life. The results of this research show that the public firmly believe in the power of youth work to address this. Almost half of people strongly agree that youth work provides vital supports for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and is an effective way of helping them reach their full potential. The public also recognise that the impact of youth work goes beyond immediate supports to actually gifting young people with a sense of belonging and connection with their peers and local community.”

“Thousands of young people engage with youth work organisations every year, but no young person arrives with the same personal circumstance, needs or aspirations as the next. They also don’t all arrive through the same door. It is vital that youth work services are funded and resourced to ensure that every door possible stays open so that there is a pathway to support for any and every young person who needs it. The Government can do this if they make the right decision in the lead up to budget and invest €15 million in youth work services that are such a fundamental part in supporting and empowering future generations,” concluded Tanya Ward.

_ENDS_

Contact:
For media queries please contact,
Robyn Keleghan: [email protected] / M + 353 85 800 1275

Notes to Editors:

• Children’s Rights Alliance spokespeople are available for media interviews; other speakers available upon request.
• The RED C Report detailing youth work findings is available here.
• The Red C Report detailing support for child poverty measures is available here.
• Youth work is a non-formal education and developmental process that young people participate in voluntarily. Youth work takes places in a wide range of places including youth clubs, dedicated youth centres, outreach projects, youth cafes, as well as other youth action and participation groups.
• Research was conducted using RED C’s online omnibus, the RED Line. Quota controls are used to ensure a nationally representative sample of ROI adults aged 18+, with interlocking quotas to provide extra confidence in sample profile. Data was weighted across gender, age, region and social class so as to ensure a nationally representative sample based on latest CSO projections. A nationally representative sample of n=1,006 adults aged 18+ was completed. Fieldwork took place from the 16th – 21st August 2024.