Carlow teen and youth worker calls for youth work funding in Budget 2026

Local youth work champion Franek Dobronski, who is 19 from Carlow, is campaigning for greater youth work funding in Budget 2026.

When Franek was in transition year in school, he wanted to get out of his comfort zone and got involved in Comhairle na nÓg, which was his gateway to youth work. Today, he is involved in several youth projects.

Franek told National Youth Council of Ireland: “Getting involved in youth work had a big impact on me. I felt empowered to become a global citizen with new values and skills under my belt. I felt heard and listened to. It’s important for young people to disconnect from social media, to learn to participate, and meet like-minded people, which can only be done in-person. I really hope that there will be greater investment in youth services in the upcoming Budget.”

New research published this week by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) highlights the vital role of in-person youth spaces in Carlow in supporting young people’s wellbeing in the digital age ─ offering opportunities to challenge harmful online content, step away from social media, build confidence, and feel connected to their community.

NYCI has launched the research in the lead-up to Budget Day on 7th October to highlight its call on Government for greater investment in youth clubs, groups and services to ensure all young people, including in Carlow, have access to safe, supportive offline spaces.

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As part of its Pre-Budget Submission 2026, NYCI is calling for €21 million in additional investment in youth work services to sustain and expand access to safe, supportive environments for young people across Ireland including in Carlow.

The polling, conducted by Red C on behalf of NYCI, shows that 85 per cent of the public agree offline youth spaces provide a safe environment for young people to talk about things they see online with peers and trusted adults, such as youth workers and volunteers.

The research also indicates that less than one in four (24 per cent) believe there are enough safe offline spaces for young people in their community.

Mental health and digital pressures

The poll shows that 89 per cent of the public believe investing in offline spaces is essential to support young people’s mental health and provide a break from the pressures of social media and digital life.

Launching the research, Kathryn Walsh, Director of Policy and Advocacy at NYCI, said: “Offline youth spaces are more than just physical locations ─ they are vital environments where young people, including in Carlow, feel safe, supported, and understood. Youth workers and volunteers play a crucial role in building trusted relationships that allow young people to speak openly about what they encounter online, navigate challenges, and develop a sense of belonging and purpose.”

Not outdated – but essential

Contrary to assumptions that young people only want to connect online, the data shows strong public recognition of the role of in-person youth work.

Ms Walsh continued: “These findings underline what youth workers and young people themselves have been telling us for years. We must invest in youth clubs, centres and services so that every young person has access to supportive, in-person environments that help them build resilience and confidence, including young people in Carlow.”

Ms Walsh added: “Young people value having spaces where they can explore their views, ask questions, and feel heard without judgement. Offline youth work gives them the chance to challenge harmful narratives, grow in confidence, and feel connected to their community.”

Further findings

The nationally representative research includes further key findings such as:

• Most Irish adults (62 per cent) reject the idea that concerns about online risks and harms for young people are exaggerated and that there is too much panic about young people being online. 
• Around two-thirds (64 per cent) of Irish adults believe public awareness campaigns about internet safety are largely ineffective, while the vast majority (91 per cent) consider in-person programmes that help young people navigate the digital world to be important for supporting the wellbeing of young people.
• There is significantly lower awareness of youth groups/organisations in rural communities, with visibility largely concentrated in urban areas.

Ms Walsh concluded: “Youth work is a cornerstone of a wider ecosystem of support for young people. It strengthens communities, complements education and mental health services, and helps address the full spectrum of challenges and opportunities in young people’s lives. Ireland needs to step up investment in these spaces now, including in Carlow.”