Giving County Clare’s Young People A Voice

Clare Comhairle na nÓg is a local forum for young people where they can discuss local and national issues of relevance to them.

The upcoming meeting has been organised by the Clare County Development Board and is supported by Clare County Council, Clare Youth Services, Clare Childcare Committee, An Garda Síochána, Clare Sports Partnership, and the Clare Youth Officer, under the County Development Board.

The topics chosen for discussion by students participating in this year’s event are the "Environment", "A successful Transition into Secondary School" (both Primary School), "A Healthy Mind & A Healthy Body" and "What is in Clare for Young People" (both Secondary School).

The Comhairle delegates will nominate students to represent the County at Dail na nÓg or "Youth Parliament" in February when Comhairlí representatives from 34 local authority areas around the country convene in Dublin.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming meeting, Mayor of Clare Cllr. Madeleine Taylor Quinn said: "The objective of the Comhairlí or ‘youth councils’ is to give children and young people a voice at a community level. The annual event also helps to reinforce the need for the County’s main agencies to work together, as well as to promote the efforts of the County Development Board and the role of the students’ respective County Councillors. In my address to delegates, I will outline the importance of considering the opinions of younger members of the community when devising local or national policy."

"I am delighted to see that Comhairle na nÓg is increasingly being recognised by local, regional and national bodies. It has provided representation to a number of initiatives such as Dáil na nÓg. This proves that the process is effective and does make a difference to the lives of young people", added the Mayor.

Councillor PJ Kelly, the newly appointed Chair of Clare County Development Board, described Comhairle na nÓg as a "wonderful opportunity" for young people to contribute to making things better for themselves and their communities.

He stated: "In a period of great social change in Ireland as the credit crunch takes effect in all aspects of life, it is important that students not only look at how issues such as health and the environment are relevant to their communities today but also what way they should be handled in the years to come."

"As students prepare to examine and present their collective thoughts on these important issues, it is reassuring to see that they will be guided and facilitated by numerous agencies and, of course, the local authority. The participation of these agencies is a clear indication that the opinions and input of students on important social issues are valued at the highest level": commented Cllr. Kelly.

Nicola Cullinan, Comhairle na nÓg Coordinator, Community and Enterprise, Clare County Council, said that the upcoming meeting would provide an invaluable opportunity for young people, under 18 years of age, to have a say in issues that affect their lives.

She continued: "In recent years, the input and opinions of Clare Comhairle na nÓg delegates have helped to formulate national policies affecting the lives of young people and children."

"On a local level, Clare County Council has developed many policies with substantial input from children and young people. The upcoming Comhairle na nOg meeting is part of a long-term plan with the goal of improving the ability of Clare’s young people to represent their thoughts and ideas": Ms. Cullinan concluded.

Further information on Comhairle na nÓg is available from Nicola Cullinan, Comhairle na nÓg Coordinator, Community and Enterprise, Clare County Council, at 056-6846222 or dceoff@clarecoco.ie. For more on Dáil na nÓg log on to www.dailnanog.ie.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- The media is invited to attend. Interview and photograph opportunities will be provided between 9.30am and 10am. Photograph opportunities between 10am and 2pm can be arranged by contacting Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relation on 086-8534900/media@dunphypr.com
- Interviewees are available on request

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900