Young Kildare people make their voices heard
L-R Craig Doyle, Sophie Byrne, Deputy Aidan Farrelly, Richard McKeever Burke, Ashai Fernandez and Ellie Chadwick
YOUNG people from Kildare discussed their priorities for Budget 2026 with local politicians at the launch of SpunOut’s pre-budget submission in Dublin last week.
SpunOut is Ireland’s youth information and support platform and the group's pre-budget submission was created in collaboration with its Youth Action panel, a diverse group of over 200 young people from across Ireland, focusing on their lived experiences.
Topics highlighted by these young people and featured in the submission include mental health, youth work, a lack of third spaces, housing, climate action, transport, apprenticeships, and healthy relationships.
Kildare-based Action Panel members Craig Doyle and Sophie Byrne met with local politicians who attended the lobby day in Buswells hotel, including Kildare North TD Aidan Farrelly, to discuss these issues.
SpunOut are campaigning in a number of areas including €100 million to community-based and statutory youth mental health services and €60 million to develop six Youth Hubs across the country.
There is calls for an action plan for apprenticeships, affordable housing targeted at young people and increased youth services and free public transport.
Maria Towey, Acting CEO at SpunOut, said: “We are delighted to be launching our pre-budget submission today at Buswells. Our Action Panel members are really looking forward to sharing their own real-life experiences with politicians and discussing the big issues for young people in Ireland today.
“At Spunout, we believe every young person in Ireland should be able to access the support they need, whether that’s mental health care, affordable housing, reliable transport, or inclusive spaces to connect. We also believe that young people are experts in their own experiences, and any attempt to create effective, meaningful public policy must begin with listening to them. That’s why our pre-budget submission is rooted in the realities and priorities of young people across Ireland.
“This October, the government has its first real chance to prove that young people are a genuine priority. Budget 2026 is where words from the Programme for Government must translate into measurable action.
“We are grateful to the young people who travelled from across Ireland today some coming from as far as Kerry and Donegal, and to the politicians for taking the time to attend.”
