Minister Foley Published the Ireland-UK Youth Forum Report and Responses to Youth Recommendations

Minister Foley welcomes the publication of the Ireland-UK Youth Forum Report and responses from across government. The report of the inaugural Ireland-UK Youth Forum, along with the responses from Irish Government Departments to the recommendations made by young delegates, has been published today.

The Ireland-UK Youth Forum was established following the first Ireland-UK Leaders’ Summit in March 2025, where both governments committed to creating opportunities for young people to connect, share perspectives and influence policy.

The inaugural Forum was held in Dublin in January 2026 and brought together 60 young delegates aged 16 to 24 from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. The Forum provided young people with the opportunity to identify shared challenges and opportunities facing their generation and to develop recommendations for the future of Ireland-UK cooperation.

Discussions focused on four key themes:

• Cost of Living
• Mental Health and Access to Healthcare
• Education
• Culture, Diversity and Equality

The Forum was shaped by a Youth Advisory Group, made up of two young representatives from across each jurisdiction. Over a number of months, members of the Youth Advisory Group worked closely with officials to design the programme, identify discussion themes and ensure that the voices of young people remained central to the process.

Following a series of discussions, delegates developed a range of recommendations for both Governments. These recommendations reflected the priorities, concerns and aspirations of young people across Ireland and the UK and called for continued cooperation on issues affecting young people.

Today’s publication includes both the Forum report and the formal responses from Irish Government Departments to the recommendations put forward by delegates. The responses set out how each Department intends to consider and take forward the recommendations, recognising the importance of ensuring young people have a meaningful voice in policy development.

Minister Foley said:

“This Forum is an important platform for dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding among young people from across Ireland and the United Kingdom. The publication of these recommendations, and our responses to them, demonstrates a commitment to listening to and engaging with young people as partners in policy development. I look forward to supporting and seeing the contributions of the delegates at the next Youth Forum in 2027”

The Ireland-UK Youth Forum forms part of the wider programme of cooperation agreed by both Governments and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening connections between young people across these islands.

The Forum report and responses are available below: