-
In 2008 the National Youth Council of Ireland embarks on its second strategic plan which will provide us with a plan of action to influence positive change for young people and the youth sector until the end of 2012.
We recognise the challenge that lies ahead as we seek to ensure the strategic and sustained development of youth work in Ireland so as to meet the needs of young people. We need to build recognition of youth work as a complementary partner in the education system; and build a better understanding of youth work with a wide range of audiences. In addition we have to be able to demonstrate the positive impact youth work has on the lives of young people and that it is excellent value for money.
Download: -
This report presents the findings of a qualitative research project investigating the attitudes of adults and young people involved in youth work towards development and global justice issues , along with exploring the implications of these findings for youth work practice.
The research provides us with a rich source of baseline information to inform NYCI’s development education practice and advocacy work over the coming years, as well as providing impetus for future research. The findings and recommendations will challenge NYCI and the wider youth sector to reflect on how best they can provide appropriate and effective supports to youth organisations.
Authored by Maurice Devlin and Hilary Tierney, Department of Applied Social Studies, NUI Maynooth on behalf of the NYCI Development Education Programme, National Youth Council of Ireland.
Download: -
This report investigates the negative stereotyping of young people in Ireland. It includes the findings of research into the experiences of young people and their perceptions of how they are regarded and treated by adults, as well as the results of a case study of the stereotyping of young people in the Irish media.
-
Children and young people have borne the brunt of many of the policy decisions made in Budget 2010.Contrary to the Minister’s belief that the budgetary measures for 2010 will ensure a start to economic recovery, NYCI believe their impact will have devastating consequences for many children and young people especially those living in low income families.
Of particular concern are the excessive cuts to Job seeker’s allowance for young people aged 20 – 24 and the reduction in Child Benefit which has been reduced by €16 a month and a reduction of social welfare payments for those of working age by 4.1%. These cuts will impact greatly on many children and young people.
Download: -
In this submission, NYCI outline what we believe to be priorities for Government action and spending:
1.Youth Work Funding
- Assist the Youth Work sector to support the most vulnerable and marginalised young people through the recession by maintaining funding at existing levels with a small increase of 1.7%
2.Fund Part-time Fees
- Establish a fund to alleviate part-time fees for employees attending public institutions to ensure the provision of education and training for people vulnerable to redundancy.
3.Address Youth Unemployment
- Maintain existing rate of social welfare payments for young people aged 20-24 in receipt of the Job Seekers Allowance.
4.Promote Young People’s Positive Mental Health
- Continue to support the implementation of the ASIST1 programme and roll out of the “Your Mental Health” Campaign directed towards young people.
-
This publication outlines NYCI education policy 2007-2010.
Equality of Access to education and lifelong/lifewide learning are integral to the
creation of an education system that is equitable and fully inclusive. The development
of an education system which is attainable to all throughout the lifecycle is vitally
important in addressing poverty and social exclusion and breaking the
intergenerational cycle of educational disadvantage.Youth Work
· Implement the funding review of the sector and establish a structured funding
mechanism that recognises the core funding needs of organisations
· Provide the resources necessary to deliver on the commitment in the NDP and
the Programme for Government to develop a successor to the National Youth
Work Development Plan for the period 2008 – 2012.
· Allocate an additional €10m per annum to the youth work sector to continue
the implementation of key agreed priorities of both the Youth Work Act 2001
and the National Youth Work Development Plan 2003-2007.Early School Leaving
· Government to honour its commitment to reduce early school leaving by 10%
by 2010.
· Government to provide funding to ensure that the NEWB is fully resourced in
line with “Towards 2016” by 2009.
· Raise the level of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
payment to €250 for primary school children, and to €350 for secondary
school children.
· Use the Family Income Supplement means assessment to determine eligibility
for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance i.e. use the same FIS
threshold for both two –parent and one-parent families, and assess income net
of tax and PRSI.
Class Sizes
· Government to increase investment to reduce class sizes and fulfil its
commitments in Towards 2016 and the Programme for Government.Literacy
· Government needs to substantially increase the resources being provided to
organisations working on this issue, and to the implementation of the next
phase of the Adult Literacy Plan.
· Develop a policy on English language services to meet the needs of migrant
workers as well as asylum seekers and refugees, especially those with less than
Level 4 qualifications.
· Allocate a budget specifically for ESOL service provision separate to current
adult literacy budgets.Lifelong Learning Strategies
· Ensure Government honours its commitment in “Towards 2016 and in the
current Programme for Government to establish a fund to alleviate part-time
fees for employees attending public institutions who have never pursued third
level education before.
· A new initiative should be established providing a systematic approach to paid
statutory educational leave, with a particular focus on supporting those with
low educational qualifications and low skilled workers to access education.Young People as Partners in Education:
· Government fund the establishment of a support service on a three year pilot
basis as recommended in the Student Council Working Group to develop,
support and promote student councils in all second level schools in the state.
Arts and Education:
· Government to publish and adopt report of Special Committee on Arts and
Education and implements it recommendations.Download:
Pages
Policy, Reports and Submissions