Young people from across Ireland discussed their experiences and priorities for Budget 2026 with Clare politicians at the launch of spunout’s pre budget submission
Young people from throughout the country discussed their priorities for Budget 2026 with Clare politicians at the launch of spunout’s pre-budget submission in Dublin last week.
spunout is Ireland’s youth information and support platform. The pre-budget submission was created in collaboration with its Youth Action Panel, a diverse group of over 200 young people from throughout the country.
The submission focuses on the lived experiences of young people in Ireland. 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.
Action Panel members met with Clare politicians, including Donna McGettigan TD, who attended the lobby day in Buswells Hotel, to discuss these issues.
Key asks in spunout’s pre-budget submission include:
Allocate €100 million to community-based and statutory youth mental health services.
Provide €70 million to train more mental health professionals, especially psychologists, nurses, and assistant roles.
Allocate €60 million to develop six Youth Hubs across the country.
Provide €21.3 million investment in youth work services.
Support a pilot programme focused on building healthy relationships and gender norms among young people through a €135,000 annual investment over three years.
Develop and fund an Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026-2030.
Invest €4.1 billion in affordable and cost-rental housing targeted at young people.
Allocate €786 million to provide free public transport for all young adults.
Isobel Solan, a member of spunout’s Youth Action Panel, said: “I feel particularly passionate about our ask regarding investment in youth mental health. Young people across Ireland are facing a mental health crisis that demands urgent, compassionate action. Too many people are struggling in silence.
“Investing €100 million in youth mental health services is a lifeline bringing care into communities and creating spaces where young people can feel seen, supported, and heard. By investing in youth mental health services and healthcare professionals, we ensure that care is always within reach. This funding means we are building a future where no young person feels alone.”
Fellow Youth Action Panel member, Kacper Bogalecki said: “Housing is a big issue for me. For a lot of young people, moving out of home is currently an unaffordable dream. Many of the people I know who have managed to move out are paying high rents or living in unsuitable conditions. It’s hard for myself and my friends to ever imagine owning our own homes in Ireland. This has a big impact on our ability to take up job opportunities, attend college, form relationships, or build a stable life.
“We’re calling for a €4.1 billion investment in affordable and cost-rental housing targeted specifically at young people. This investment would grant young people throughout the country the opportunity to move out and gain the independence we desperately need.
“I travelled from Killarney today because I care deeply about these issues, and I’m really looking forward to engaging with politicians on them.”
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.”