Next budget gives State chance to prove young people are a genuine priority
One area that cannot be ignored is the mental health crisis facing young people in Ireland.
Budget 2026 presents the Government with a real chance to prove young people are a genuine priority. In order to ensure we are not left behind, the Government needs to listen to young people and our experiences.
Engaging with our generation is key to ensure October’s budget supports meaningful policy changes that will improve the lives of young people across the country.
One area that cannot be ignored is the mental health crisis facing young people in Ireland. The peak age of onset for mental health conditions is between 15 and 25, precisely when young people are navigating school, further education, work, and complex social transitions.
A recent Unicef report analysing wellbeing in 43 OECD and EU countries found Ireland’s adolescents are among the least happy in the developed world. Growing Up in Ireland data supports this, with the latest survey finding 25% of 25-year-olds had been diagnosed with depression or anxiety, an increase of 5% from when the participants were last surveyed five years previous. This demonstrates a worrying trend of deteriorating mental health among young people.
Despite this clear mental health crisis, timely and appropriate mental health supports remain out of reach for many young people. HSE figures show as of June 2025, there were just over 4,500 children and adolescents waiting to be seen by Camhs — 763 young people have been waiting for more than one year, while 504 young people were waiting between 39 and 52 weeks.
We have first-hand experience of these delays, with many of our own friends experiencing them. Long waiting lists can lead to worsening conditions and preventable crises — we cannot allow them to continue.
Urgent investment in youth services is desperately needed. A recent Red C poll found 79% of people believe the Government should prioritise mental health services for children and young people, while 87% support increased investment in these services.
Investing in youth mental health services is a lifeline bringing care into communities and creating spaces where young people can feel seen, supported, and heard. By investing in youth mental health services and hiring more mental health professionals, we ensure care is always within reach. This funding means we are building a future where no young person feels alone.
Another major challenge facing young people is the declining number of spaces where we can socialise and access services without having to pay money. Young people in Ireland make up a significant proportion of the population and yet we are notably underserved in terms of places to hang out, meet our friends and simply exist without judgement.
Research commissioned by the Department of Children and Youth, published last year, found play and recreation amenities targeting adolescents are under-resourced and under-facilitated in relation to their play and recreation needs compared to younger children.
One proposal that could solve this problem is the development of one-stop-shop youth hubs across the country. These hubs would be social spaces which would also provide access to key State services. As well as providing facilities for socialising, recreation and youth work, these hubs could also include on-site mental health support and referral services and career and educational guidance.
Other supports could include housing advice, legal information, and help navigating social welfare or immigration systems.
Using this approach would fill the gap that exists in relation to social spaces for young people, while also making State services more approachable and relevant to our lives, encouraging us to engage with them. Some of Ireland’s many vacant buildings could be refurbished and repurposed for this initiative, giving them a new lease of life.
While mental health supports and youth hubs are key matters we believe need investment in Budget 2026, there are a number of other policy areas that should also be acknowledged in order to take a holistic approach to the issues facing young people in Ireland.
The housing crisis is a cause of stress and anxiety for many young people. Investment in affordable and cost-rental housing targeted at young people would ease this burden and likely improve the mental health of many.
Free public transport for all young people would help ease the burden of the cost-of-living crisis so many are experiencing. Investment in both these areas would grant young people more opportunities, freedom and independence.
As a young person in Ireland today, it’s hard not to be anxious about our future. Our friends are struggling to pay rent, access mental health services and afford third-level education. Many young people are facing additional barriers due to disability, geography, identity, or socioeconomic background.
At the same time, our generation has shown leadership and resilience through climate action movements, community engagement and peer mental health support. We’re not waiting for change, we are driving it. What we need now is a Government and a budget that meets our energy and ambition with urgency and action.
- Isobel Solan and Kacper Bogalecki are members of Spunout’s Youth Action Panel and board of directors
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