To ask the Minister of Education whether the Priorities for Youth policy review, due to be launched in early 2026, will confirm that community and voluntary sector will be the primary delivery mechanism for youth services.

The Education Authority has statutory responsibility for the provision for youth services as set out in The Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.

The Priorities for Youth policy review commenced in September 2023. My officials are gathering, reviewing and assessing evidence from a broad range of sources including a Young Person’s Reference Group; a Policy Reference Group; a Cross-Departmental Group; five thematic Sub-Groups; the Project Board; the Education and Training Inspectorate; relevant research reports and other policy areas within my department.

The review findings and evidence based policy options will be brought to me for consideration during summer 2025. This will be followed by a public consultation process. I cannot pre-determine the outcome of the review including any proposed changes to the current legislative position whereby the Education Authority has a statutory duty to deliver youth services.

Quarterly updates on the policy review are available on the Department’s website at https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/priorities-youth-pfy-policy-review. An update for April 2025 has recently been added.