Invest in Youth

Help convince our government to support young people in Budget 2025 by investing €15 million in youth work.

The postcard to TDs has now closed – huge thanks to everyone who signed it!

We can no longer accept signatures on the postcards to TDs; we’re now getting the postcards ready to send. Thank you so much to everyone who signed and shared the campaign.

It’s not too late to take action on this issue – you can contact your local TDs via email or phone, and tell them how important it is to you that youth work is properly funded in Budget25. A direct contact from a constituent really shows how much this issue matters. You can find the contact details for your local TDs on the Oireachtas website

Sign the Budget25 ‘Invest in Youth’ postcard to your local TDs

 

Why is this needed?

We are lucky to have a growing youth population. By 2025 there will be over 1 million under-25s in Ireland, but they need meaningful support. Young people have been hit hard over the past year by challenges including: 

  • Economic impacts: The ongoing housing crisis and soaring living costs are acutely affecting young people. Traditional milestones like home ownership are out of reach for many. 
  • Lack of services: Young people are struggling with poverty, mental health, educational engagement, and a lack of safe spaces and support services. 
  • Division in communities: youth work is a critical force for promoting connection and a sense of community, often in challenging circumstances. 

What can be done?

Youth work services can help young people during these difficult times by providing: 

  • Connection and support: Youth work organisations continue to support young people facing poverty, mental health issues, educational engagement difficulties, and lack of access to safe spaces and support services. 
  • Support for those most at risk: Youth work provides a broad range of services including youth worker support, peer support, youth club activities, and counselling. It offers critical support and opportunities young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • Integration and community building: Youth work helps young people integrate into new communities and build a sense of belonging.

The youth work sector is under pressure, struggling to support young people facing tough issues while dealing with higher demand and rising costs, without enough resources. 

This must change. We’re calling on the Government to invest an additional €15 million in youth work services in Budget 2025, to provide more support and activities for young people and meet the needs of a growing youth population facing economic struggles. 

Add your name to our giant postcard

How it works

We’ll send a personalised version of this postcard with your signatures, to every TD in every constituency in Ireland, urging them to support this funding in the weeks leading up to the Budget. Your name will be added to the signatures for your constituency. We’ll also let local media know we’re sending these postcards.

By doing this, we’ll make sure that the message is loud and clear across the country: Government must fund youth work in Budget 2025. 

 

Will you join this call and stand up for young people?

Use this quick form to add your name to the postcard going to your local TD.

Your name will go on the postcard to each of your local TDs, and also to a letter sent to local media. Your email will be kept private.

Stories of impact

We have  gathered stories from youth workers and young people to highlight the life-changing impact of youth work. Read and share their stories:

Sinéad’s Story

"We often see girls arrive at Guides or Brownies, full of anxiety, reluctant to be away from home. One girl, who’d stayed on longer than usual […]

Amy’s Story

"This shy little girl arrived at her first girl guides meeting, hiding behind her mum. She was reluctant to take part in activities. But over the […]

Doireann’s Story

"When I was 14, I was on the youth participation panel for Youth Work Ireland. I quickly became the chair of our group, so I was […]

Anna’s Story

"I always felt a little bit left out in school. I have dyspraxia and a heart condition, and although I loved sports, I wasn’t often chosen […]

Aisling’s Story

"Before the pandemic, I was involved in green schools, student council, sports teams and the school choirs. But I still felt isolated, like an outsider, that […]

Aoibhe’s Story

“During the pandemic, I had a difficult time keeping up with school and my friends. I spent so much time alone - at a time when […]

Lea’s Story

“I was having a tough time with my mental health. Going to school was a struggle. Then, about a year ago, I started to attend my […]