Government outlines new funding for youth councils

The Government today pledged almost €500,000 for youth councils nationwide to allow young people more participation in local democracy.

It comes as a new policy promoting improved recreational facilities for teenagers was unveiled by Minister for Children Brendan Smith.

'Teenspace: the National Recreation Policy for Young People' was devised after talks with youths around the country.

The €400,000 funding to Comhairle na nÓg is in addition to the €100,000 annual grant and will be used to give youths a stronger voice in the local decision making process.

Mr Smith said: "I am keenly aware of the need for greater investment in young people's recreation and I will be working with my Cabinet colleagues and the Minister for Finance in the Estimates process for 2008, to determine the best approach to implementation of this [Teenspace] policy."

"Improved recreational opportunities for young people at local level will be an important factor in determining the success of the policy.

"In addition, up to €400,000 additional investment will made by my Office to support Comhairle na nÓg in 2007, which will help in giving children and young people a stronger voice in local decision-making," he said.

Comhairle na nÓg was set up in 2002 by City and County Development Boards across the country to allow children and young people to discuss local and national issues of relevance to them.

This latest policy, Teenspace, was devised after consultations with teenagers revealed the need for improved recreational policies for young people, such as the development of youth cafes.

Mr Smith continued: "Young people have been telling us that we haven't been getting it right and why.

"This innovative policy is based on consultations with young people and on research into their recreational needs.

"Teenspace promotes new initiatives and the need for interagency co-operation but also outlines a strategic approach to existing investment.

"To invest wisely in the future, we need to involve young people in helping us to plan and design the facilities, which are most relevant to them," he said.

Mr Smith said his department was in talks with the National Children's Advisory Council about setting up youth cafes.

"The launch of Teenspace is an important first step and provides a framework for developing recreational facilities that meet the needs of an ever-changing population of young people," Mr Smith said.

The roll-out of the scheme was welcomed by youth representatives around the country.

Aoife Finnerty, Mayo Comhairle na nÓg, said: "We found a grave lack of recreation facilities in some areas especially for teenagers who are not sport-orientated.

"There was a lack of transport to facilities in rural areas and young people felt they were not a part of decisions affecting their lives.

"I am delighted that this policy deals with these issues, which will encourage young people to feel part of their communities and proud of the facilities they have helped to create."