Minister welcomes upsurge in youth participation with over 4,000 young people involved in Government decision making

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has today welcomed the upsurge in youth participation with over 4,000 young people involved in Government decision‑making.

The significant acceleration in youth engagement across Government is highlighted in the first implementation report of Participation of Children and Young People in Decision‑making: Action Plan 2024–2028.

The first year of delivery saw well over 4,000 children and young people contribute directly to national policy development across multiple sectors.

Key participation highlights include:

– A newly established Children and Young People’s Participation Interdepartmental Group, with representation from 15 Government Departments, met quarterly throughout 2024, demonstrating a strengthened whole‑of‑Government approach to embedding youth voice in policymaking.

– 3,881 children and young people who shared their views through the School Meals Programme evaluation survey and focus groups, including seldom-heard groups such as children with disabilities and those from minority backgrounds.

– Approximately 70 young delegates shaping the Climate Action Plan through the National Youth Assembly on Climate.

– 400 students taking part in the inaugural Youth Agri‑Food Dialogue, part of Ireland’s first National Youth Food Forum.

– 49 young delegates contributing to the Rural Youth Assembly, developing policy recommendations on living, learning and working in rural Ireland.

– Young people engaging in the redesign of mental health transition services through surveys, focus groups and an in‑person consultation event at Croke Park.

These figures demonstrate the strong commitment across Government Departments and Agencies to including children and young people in their decision-making processes.

The report also highlights the growing confidence and influence of national youth participation structures. Notably, 2025 saw the first National Youth Assembly initiated directly by young people themselves, following a request from delegates for a dedicated Assembly on Transport. This is a strong signal of the maturing and self‑directed nature of youth engagement in Ireland.

Innovative approaches to ensuring broader inclusion are also included in the report, from the publication of the first national Toolkit enabling participation of children aged 0–5 in decision‑making, to expanded engagement with seldom‑heard communities, including LGBTI+ young people contributing to the Youth Homelessness Strategy consultation.

“I am pleased to welcome the publication of this Participation Action Plan report.

“The fact that thousands of children and young people have already contributed directly to shaping decisions in areas such as education, climate, transport, rural development, food systems and health is enormously encouraging. This first year demonstrates the real impact of embedding youth voice across Government systems.”

“While there is always more work to do, this report shows that our approach is delivering meaningful progress and real opportunities for children and young people to engage when decisions that impact their lives are being made. We will continue building on this momentum in the months and years ahead.

I want to thank all the children and young people who have shared their knowledge and their views and I commend the Government Departments and Agencies who are including children and young people in their decision-making processes.”

The published report is available on the DCDE website here.