Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board joined other ETBs across Ireland in championing increased investment in youth work following the recent Youthwork Matters national conference.
Held in Galway last week in partnership with Galway and Roscommon ETB, the event brought together over 160 youth work leaders, practitioners, and young people, underscoring youth work’s essential role in tackling poverty, exclusion, school absenteeism, and mental health challenges.
President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, sent a message of support to attendees, highlighting the “crucial role” of youth work in supporting marginalised young people, including those from Traveller and migrant communities, as well as LGBTQ+ youth.
Paddy Lavelle, General Secretary of ETBI, described youth work as “a lifeline” for many, while ETBI’s Youth Service Manager, Ruth Griffin, called for a holistic approach to supporting young people’s education and wellbeing.
The conference emphasised the need for a more integrated approach between youth services, schools, and families, stressing sustainable funding and long-term policy support. ETBs nationwide continue to champion collaborative, community-based programmes to empower young people across the country.
Donncha Ó Treasaigh, Director of Schools at Limerick and Clare ETB, who attended the conference, spoke about the importance of this alignment: “We see every day how effective partnerships between schools and youth services can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Youth work offers young people a space to be heard, supported, and empowered, particularly those who may not always thrive in traditional classroom settings. It is vital that this work is integrated into our broader educational efforts.”
A key theme of the conference was the relationship between youth work and education. The recent transfer of youth work policy and funding to the new Department of Education and Youth was welcomed as a positive step, with stakeholders agreeing that it needs be matched by meaningful, sustained investment.
The Youth Work team from Limerick and Clare ETB said they were delighted to attend this year’s conference and to have the opportunity to “hear directly from young people about their experiences and aspirations, such powerful reminders of why we do this work, the speakers brought fresh insights and challenged us to think creatively and inclusively about the future of youth work. We were grateful for the opportunity to connect, reflect, and collaborate with passionate colleagues from across the country and excited to bring new ideas home”.
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