As you will be aware, we launched our Pre-Budget 2020 Submission A Fair Share for Young People and Youth Work in June. In advance of the Budget we need your help in getting the message across to Government and all Members of the Oireachtas that young people and the youth work sector must be supported in the Budget.
Our Pre-Budget Submission calls for increased investment of €16.6m in youth work, including €3m in the Youth Service Grant Scheme in the upcoming Budget on October 8th. These are modest demands in light of years of underinvestment. Some of the key facts:
Youth Work funding still 17% below 2008 levels
Since 2011 overall Government spending up 12%. Youth Work funding up just 0.3%
Youth Work only received €10.6m or 2% of additional €511m budget for Department of Children and Youth Affairs since 2014
2019 funding of the Youth Service Grant Scheme is just above 2005 levels - not taking inflation into account
You can assist the campaign in the following ways;
Contact your local/constituency TDs/Senatorsasking them to raise funding for youth work in the Dáil/Seanad, and ask TDs to submit Parliamentary Questionsrequesting Minister Zappone to increase investment in youth work in Budget 2020.
Show your support for the “YouthWorkChangesLives” #YWCL Budget 2020 campaign by sharing NYCI posts on social media between now and October 8th next.
Issue your own messages calling for increased investment in youth work in Budget 2020. (Don’t forget to use #YWCL and #Budget2020 in social media messages).
