My Department does not set aside funding specifically to address loneliness and social isolation. However, my Department supports a range of targeted youth funding schemes that work with marginalised and disadvantaged young people as defined in the National Youth Strategy 2015. This term includes, but is not limited to, young people from ethnic or religious minorities; migrants; refugees and asylum seekers; young people with disabilities or with mental health issues; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people; young carers; young people in conflict with the law; young people who are not in employment; those in care; those in direct provision; and lone parents under the age of 25 years.
The Child and Family Agency, Tusla, which is funded by my Department, provides funding under the Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Programme and also for mental health supports for children and young people. Hence, I have referred the Deputy's question to Tusla for direct response.
In the area of research, as part of the Growing Up in Ireland study, and through its funded research programme and PhD scholarship, my Department has supported the compilation of data, and the publication of a variety of reports and key findings, on related themes such as social and emotional outcomes, friendship networks, experiences of bullying or discrimination, social disadvantage, inequality and children and young people's participation in decision making.
My Department publishes compilations of data relating to the lives of children and young people in the form of the State of the Nation's Children reports and in 2017 published the Better Outcomes Brighter Futures (BOBF) indicator set. Both publications include indicators on areas related to the themes of loneliness and social isolation such as life satisfaction, a sense of feeling like an outsider at school, bullying, experiences of discrimination and homelessness.
