NYCI advocates on issues which impact on young people, on our member organisations and on the youth work sector.
We also use the collective experience of our member organisations to advocate on and seek to influence policy which impacts on the lives of young people.
Our policy and advocacy priorities are guided by our 2018-2022 Strategic Plan.
OUR PRIORITIES AND POLICIES
On an annual basis our priorities are determined by the Board of NYCI. Our current three priority policy areas are youth work, social inclusion and active citizenship.
Budget 2020 campaign
In Budget 2020 our members are calling for increased investment of€16.6m in youth work, including €3m in the Youth Service Grant Scheme. These are modest demands in light of years of underinvestment.
Youth Work Funding
Youth work is above all an educational and developmental process, based on young people’s active and voluntary participation and commitment. It is often defined as ‘non-formal education’.
Youth Employment
We have advocated for policies to support young people into quality work and measures to address youth unemployment for many years. The reduction in youth unemployment from an all-time high of 31.6% in February 2012 to 12% in Quarter 4, 2018 is very welcome.
Social Protection for Young Jobseekers
NYCI calls on Government to restore young people under 26 years of age on the lower rate of Jobseekers’ Allowance to be restored to the full adult rate of €198 per week (€203 from March 2019).
Youth Homelessness
NYCI as part of the Irish Coalition to End Youth Homelessness calls on Government to develop and implement measures to tackle youth homelessness. The number of young adults becoming homeless in Ireland has more than doubled in the last four years.
Active Citizenship
NYCI has promoted the active citizenship and democratic participation of young people for many years. We have advocated for a Vote at 16 since 2009, have engaged a number of campaigns and actions to support youth voter registration and turnout and called for Government to change the electoral system.
Legislative Process in Ireland
Apart from the European Union, the Oireachtas is the only institution in Ireland with power to make laws for the state. Most legislation is developed in the form of a Government Bill apart from Private Members Bills (which are presented by individual Oireachtas members or parties).
Advocacy & Research Publications
We publish research reports, policy papers and submissions on issues affecting young people and the youth work sector.
NEWS
“Deep disappointment” as youth work and many young people overlooked in Budget 2023
“Youth work organisations are already running to stand still, and this increase will not allow them to meet inflationary pressures. We have warned against young people being ignored in this Budget. Such a limited increase when core inflation will be 5.25% for 2023, shows youth work has been overlooked and is facing an effective cut.”
Youth Council calls for €12 million investment in young people in next week’s Budget
Over 3,000 people have signed a National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) petition calling on the government to provide much-needed funding for youth work in Budget 2023, so youth groups across the country can continue to deliver essential services during a cost-of-living crisis that is affecting their ability to reach young people.
Add your voice to our call to invest €12 million in young people and youth work
Today we launch our call on Government to fund youth work in Budget 23. Add your voice and call on our Government to support young people […]
