Youth Assembly Members set out priority issues

Members of the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly have chosen health, rights and equality and education as the areas to focus on during their two-year mandate.

During their first plenary session in the Assembly Chamber on Saturday 24 January, the 90 young people voted to choose the top three issues, following a debate which centred on the results of the ‘Big Youth Survey’.

The online survey was issued by Youth Assembly Members to schools and youth groups in December 2025 asking young people in Northern Ireland to share the issues they felt were most important.

There were almost 1,700 responses to the survey, which found the 11 issues young people care most about are: health (mental and physical), education, addiction, rights and equality, racism, artificial intelligence, jobs, environment, immigration, economy, and agriculture.

As well as discussing these issues in the Assembly Chamber on Saturday, the Members also attended public speaking training workshops and met MLAs over lunch.

The Youth Assembly is made up of 90 young people from every constituency in Northern Ireland. Members participate in plenary sittings and committees and work closely with Assembly Committees to have their say on a range of issues on behalf of young people. The current Members’ term began in November 2025 and will continue until November 2027.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Edwin Poots MLA, presided over the plenary debate. He commented:

“The Youth Assembly is a space for discussion by young people, with many opportunities for Youth Assembly Members to develop and learn. Today’s plenary has given the new Members a platform to practice their public speaking skills, by participating in a debate about issues that matter most to them and their peers. I am greatly impressed by their enthusiasm, and I look forward to following their work.”

One of the Youth Assembly Members, Áine, added:

“It was really interesting getting the chance to sit in the Assembly Chamber today and see how everything works first‑hand. I especially enjoyed taking part in the debate and having my say before voting on the issues. It felt exciting to be involved in something so important, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how this work develops over the next few months and the difference it could make.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• The Youth Assembly was founded in April 2021, with membership made up of young people in school years 9-12.
• The selection process for Members which concluded in September 2025, was co-designed with young people to ensure that it is as open and fair as possible. 90 members were selected to ensure that young people from all constituencies, Section 75 groups and other communities are represented. 
• The Youth Assembly was established to perform three functions:
• to engage with the work of the Northern Ireland Assembly, specifically with Assembly Committees on legislation and inquiries relevant to young people;
• to undertake project work generated by the three Youth Assembly committees; and
• to enable consultation with government Departments and to participate in youth voice projects.
• The Youth Assembly has at least two plenary sittings a year and three committees, which meet more regularly. The plenary sittings take place in Parliament Buildings and are presided over by the Speaker in the Assembly Chamber.
• Comprehensive safeguarding measures and protections are in place, including training and support for the members of the Youth Assembly and all those working with them.
• The Big Youth Survey Report is available on the Youth Assembly website.  https://niyouthassembly.org/bigyouthsurvey/
• Find out more by following the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly on Facebook, Instagram  and X or visiting the website: https://niyouthassembly.org/

For media queries please contact:          

Maureen Heaney, the Communications Office, Northern Ireland Assembly.

Email: maureen.heaney@niassembly.gov.uk

Phone: 028 9052 5938