State bodies need major overhaul

IN the last year I have visited a number of FÁS centres in the Dublin area. I have made many observations and now maybe is the time to share some with the so-called government bodies who are there to enhance, motivate and educate our young.

What I mean is young people have no boundaries in our Constitution, and that means that our youngsters who get early release from juvenile detention centres — eg St Patricks — should get the same respect and dignity as the youngsters going to private colleges.

Some time ago I witnessed first hand a young offender walking into a FÁS centre — he looked a little scared and I sat down to see how it works.

The youngster gave his name to a woman who never exchanged hers. He was left waiting for 20 minutes and then told “you go there and sit at the computer”.

This young man eventually left. I followed him outside. I gave him a phone number and I also gave him my own mobile. Since then he is now on a course with people who are showing him some respect and these people are not FÁS and they are not any Government agency that are paid for by the Irish taxpayer. The course he is on now is served by volunteers who give up their own time to help others. We need backup services urgently for our young offenders. We need people in these agencies who have experience but above all have basic humanity and manners. Three years ago, a young man on bail walked into a garda station to sign-on. An argument developed. The youngster walked out without signing-on and ended up a week later back in St Patrick’s Institution. The argument? He did not bring his own pen to sign-on. I phoned the inspector and we eventually got the young man, with the help of the governor and his mum, back home.

We also need some members of an Garda Síochána to be taught basic manners because they are there to serve the Irish people. FÁS is going to be overhauled shortly.

I would also like other agencies to be totally transformed into the basics of doing their jobs and also getting rid of some staff who are there in certain departments far too long.

Kevin Walsh

Waterloo Road,

Dublin 4