A DONEGAL youth worker has appealed directly to the county’s Oireachtas members to secure increased Government investment in youth services in Budget 2027.
Sinead Murray Lynch of Donegal Youth Service met Pearse Doherty TD and Senator Manus Boyle at an event in Buswells Hotel, Dublin, organised by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI). The event brought young people, youth workers and volunteers from across the country together with local Oireachtas members to outline the impact of youth work in their communities.
NYCI is seeking an additional €27.3 million in youth work funding in Budget 2027, a move it says would stabilise existing services and support safe, accessible youth spaces nationwide.
A survey of NYCI members found that 77% were concerned about having enough funding to provide services over the next 12 months, while 85% reported increased demand in the last six months.
Kathryn Walsh, Director of Policy and Advocacy at NYCI, said youth work provided young people with the relationships, spaces and opportunities they needed to grow and thrive.
“Right now, youth work services across Ireland are under real pressure from rising costs and limited resources,” she said. “With meaningful investment in Budget 2027, we can help ensure young people continue to have access to trusted adults, safe spaces and opportunities in their communities.”
The event forms part of NYCI’s #YouthWorkersChangeLives campaign, hosted through the organisation’s Local Champions initiative and supported by Community Foundation Ireland.
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland, said the Local Champions network gave young people a platform to show how youth work changes lives, calling the meetings with local TDs a powerful example of that in action.