18/03/2026
A massive thank you to Danny Baker MLA, Nick Mathison MLA, Michelle Guy MLA, and Cathy Mason MLA for their vital contributions to the debate on the future of our youth sector.
The Department of Education and the Minister’s decision to "debadge" the youth service budget is deeply concerning. By removing these protections, our vital services are being pitted against the wider, immense challenges within the Education budget. Youth services should be a priority, not a variable.
From the damaging impact of three-month funding cycles to the failure of the Department to properly utilise the Children’s Services Co-operation Act, it is clear the current direction is failing our children and young people. We need to protect local providers and ensure the sector’s voice is heard in shaping policy.
It brings us to a fundamental question: Isn't this the entire point of having locally elected Ministers? We need leadership that makes local decisions to advocate for and protect the services that catch our young people before they fall.
👀 Watch our social media over the coming days for the video breakdown of the important questions being asked by each of our representatives.
