Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
406. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to liaise with youth development officers throughout urban and rural Ireland with a view to continuing to offer support for their various programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49991/23]
View answerMy Department and I maintain substantial engagement with organisations representing youth services and in particular with youth officers, liaison officers, and development officers within Education and Training Boards.
My Department provides funding to Education and Training Boards (ETB) to support youth services across the country, including in rural areas. My officials hold quarterly meetings with the ETBs and these meetings assist my Department in identifying service needs and emerging issues, particularly for vulnerable young people.
Last year the UBU programme manager within my Department visited all 16 ETBs and over 70 youth services/organisations nationwide, engaging with youth, development and liaison officers within ETBs and youth service managers, youth workers and young people.
My Department has hosted an in-person DYLO (Development/Youth/Liaison Officer) day to support informal stakeholder engagement. This is an event organised jointly by DCEDIY and ETBI to allow ETB Development, Youth and Liaison Officers to come together and meet Department officials to share updates and engage in informal conversation on any matters youth related.
My Department will continue to engage with all stakeholders in the sector to ensure that we are providing supports to youth organisations and to young people.
