Youth services hit by decades of neglect
The fact that many young people do not see youth clubs as attractive is no great surprise to youth organisations. Decades of under-investment and neglect naturally have had an effect on premises and activities. For example, there is no capital funding for youth work from the Department of Education's youth affairs section.
Youth services have done their best to work with meagre resources to develop new and attractive forms of activities beyond the traditional youth club.
These have involved alternative music and alcohol-free venues, skateboarding, cultural activities, drama, etc.
However, at every hand's turn youth services are struggling to fund such provision juggling income sources from a variety of State departments with a variety of rules and no support for core services such as proper management to ensure high standards.
Yet again this year, a meagre 3% increase in the youth affairs' budget will not even keep pace with rising costs.
Facilities for young people to hang out are currently provided by many youth services on a casual basis.
However, they are usually youth-led and independent of government. The independent and alternative nature of such facilities is part of their attraction.
Making these activities mainstream may alienate young people from them, as hanging around can be a form of rebellion against official leisure activities.
This is not a simple issue and we hope the minister will engage with youth workers in addressing it.
Michael McLoughlin
National Youth Federation
20 Lr Dominick Street
Dublin 1
