A reminder of why investment is urgently needed:
Young people have been hard hit by the pandemic and now the cost of living crisis. Our RedC poll published yesterday made for stark reading:
- 8 in 10 young people aged 18-24 are fearful for the future and
- 1 in 2 reported worse mental health in the context of the rising cost-of-living; more than
- 4 in 10 responded that they are not as happy as they were six months ago; almost
- 1 in 2 said they are struggling to make ends meet; and more than
- 1 in 4 said their experience with housing in the past six months is worse.
Moreover, we’ve seen
- Young people disconnecting from youth work, youth clubs and groups during COVID, who need support to return.
- An interruption to education that has had a lasting effect for many young people.
- Over 12,000 young Ukrainians aged 10-24 have arrived in Ireland in recent months and need additional support to adapt to life in Ireland and make lasting connections here.
Ireland’s young population is growing all the time - we will have over 1 million people aged under 25 by the year 2025. Young people are such an important part of our society, Government has to plan to ahead so they can get real, meaningful support.
That’s why we’re calling on the Government to invest an additional €12m in youth work services in Budget 2023, to provide more supports and activities for young people hit hard by the pandemic and cost of living crisis.
Will you join this call and stand up for young people?
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