“The Soaring Twenties”
“Securing long-term social, environmental and economic sustainability in the next decade, by investing in young people and youth work sector”
Introduction
NYCI calls on all parties and candidates in the upcoming General Election, if elected to Dáil Éireann, to commit to policies and actions to address the social injustices and economic inequalities affecting young people. We urge members of the Oireachtas to take the urgent climate change decisions and implement the required policy measures to save our planet. We are also calling on all candidates and parties to invest in services and in particular, youth work services, which are making such a positive difference in the lives of so many young people.
If the next Government make the right decisions, such as the decision to invest in young people and youth work, Ireland has a bright future. The next decade is an opportunity for Ireland to aim high and to deliver economic equality, social justice and environmental sustainability. This election manifesto is entitled “The Soaring Twenties” and is a clarion call for all parties and candidates running for election to adopt and support policies and proposals in the next five years to support our country and our young people to aim high and reach their full potential.
Manifesto
This election manifesto puts forward a range of proposals to improve the lives of young people, to support them to achieve their full potential and ultimately, to ensure Ireland’s long-term social, environmental and economic prosperity and security.
Summary of Recommendations
This is a summary of the NYCI proposals for the next Programme for Government:
Youth Policy:
- NYCI calls on the next Government to retain the Department of Children and Youth Affairs as a senior ministry
- NYCI calls on the next Government to appoint a Minister of State with responsibility for Youth Policy and Youth Work.
Youth Work:
- NYCI calls on the next Government to develop in partnership with the sector a National Youth Work Development Plan for the period 2021-2025.
- NYCI calls on the next Government to invest an additional €20m in youth work services by 2025 by means of a €4m per annum increase each year from 2021-2025, to strengthen voluntary youth work organisations to provide more supports and activities for young people and to meet the needs of a growing youth population.
Social Protection for Young Jobseekers:
- NYCI calls on the next Government to restore the full rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance to all those aged 18-24 years.
Youth Homelessness:
- NYCI calls on the next Government to develop a Youth Homeless Strategy.
Youth Employment and Access to Apprenticeships:
- NYCI calls on the next Government to develop, implement and resource a National Access to Apprenticeship programme.
Voting Rights and Electoral Registration:
- NYCI calls on the next Government to bring forward a referendum to extend voting rights to young people aged 16 and 17 in Dáil and Presidential elections, and referenda and to bring forward legislation to extend voting rights to young people aged 16 and 17 in Local and European elections.
- NYCI calls on the next Government to establish and adequately resource an Electoral Commission by the end of 2021.
Climate Action and Social Justice:
- NYCI calls on the next Government to establish a Climate Action Empowerment, Advocacy and Participation Fund overseen and managed by a non-statutory agency to support the participation of young people in policy-making and to support actions and activities by young people and youth groups.
Access to Higher Education:
- NYCI calls on the next Government to review the SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) grant scheme, taking into account the real cost of living and with a view to providing meaningful support to students on lower incomes, to pursue higher education.
- NYCI calls on the next Government to reduce the cost of the student contribution charge over the next five years.
