Funding for Youth Clubs Secured Only Until June
Youth clubs and centres across Northern Ireland have been assured funding only until June, according to a Department of Education (DE) official. This limited guarantee has raised concerns among politicians and youth service providers.
One Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) described the uncertainty surrounding youth funding as "absolutely wreckless." Recruitment of youth workers has reportedly been frozen in several council areas, including Antrim and Newtownabbey, Belfast, Derry City and Strabane, Mid Ulster, and Causeway Coast and Glens.
Youth clubs and services play a vital role in supporting young people, particularly in disadvantaged communities, by assisting with education and skill development. Andrew Scott from the DE emphasized their broader impact, stating they also contribute to young people's "emotional health and well-being, leadership, social skills and confidence." He added,
"This work is more relevant than ever."
Real Imminent Risk to Youth Services
Scott provided these remarks while responding to questions from MLAs on Stormont's Education Committee. The Education Authority's (EA) youth service is responsible for funding and managing youth centres and clubs throughout Northern Ireland.
However, MLAs learned that funding is only secured for the first financial quarter of the 2026-27 fiscal year. Scott warned,
"The risk of insufficient funding presents a real and imminent risk across all education services."
He acknowledged the impact of budget uncertainty on the youth sector and noted efforts to provide short-term stability. The EA has assured the community and voluntary sector at risk that funding will be available for the first financial quarter.
"We recognise the impact that budget uncertainty has on our youth sector. In an effort to provide stability in the short term the EA has provided assurances to the community and voluntary sector at risk that funding will be available for the first financial quarter."
Scott also highlighted that while youth services are crucial, funding remains "constrained."
Concerns Over Funding Reallocation and Future Stability
The committee was informed that the approximately £37 million annually allocated to youth services by the EA is no longer ring-fenced and may be redirected to other educational needs. Alliance Party MLA and committee chairman Nick Mathison expressed concern about the future of youth clubs, stating there is a "real risk" that some may not continue beyond June.
EA representative Tomas Adell responded,
"There is absolutely risk. I think that the risk that there's no funding to the community and voluntary sector, I can't see that happening. The question is what level of funding there will be available for that going forward."
Previously, warnings have been issued about "painful cuts" in education due to budget pressures. The executive has yet to agree on a multi-year budget.
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker criticized the current funding approach as "absolutely reckless," noting that youth funding will now compete directly with other demands within the Education Authority.
"Youth funding will now be in direct competition with other pressures within the Education Authority."
Baker further described the uncertainty as a "punishment of our young people," adding that the limited funding guarantee for only three months of 2026-27 has led many youth workers to seek alternative employment.
Responding to these concerns, Scott acknowledged the challenging position, saying,
"It is not the position that we want to be in."
Addressing Democratic Unionist Party MLA Peter Martin, Scott remarked on the draft budget's implications,
"The draft budget brought risk across all education services. I can't hand on heart say that youth services would be spared from that, it's risk right across the board."
