AQW 48428/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 11/06/2026
Answered On Date: 23/06/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any additional youth work provision being set up to ensure young people do not take part in racially motivated violence.

Answer:

Statutory youth services, which include the Education Authority (EA) and community and voluntary sector (CVS), are working tirelessly within local communities following recent events.

Youth centres have been open and youth workers have been out on the streets, seeking to reduce tensions. EA youth centres have extended their hours within safety guidelines, as I’m sure have some CVS providers. In areas most affected outreach is ongoing.

A Community Safety Group has been set up by the Department of Justice and the PSNI. The EA Youth Service attends. The PSNI, through district command structures, are engaging locally with all stakeholders within the youth sector.