How We Are Funded and Supported

Comhairle na nÓg is funded by a number of agencies.

Funding

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) Comhairle na nÓg Development Fund provides money to local authorities to run effective Comhairle na nÓg. Local authorities also provide funding and resources for Comhairle na nÓg, as well as other organisations at local level.

Steering Committees

Comhairle na nÓg Steering Committees have become a cornerstone of the support required for an effective Comhairle na nÓg. Steering Committee members typically include a local authority representative, the Comhairle na nÓg Coordinator, local youth service representatives, the VEC Youth Officer and other local stakeholders, who can support the help the Comhairle na nÓg achieve their desired outcomes, impact and change. Additional members of the Steering Committee are drawn from organisations and bodies that are relevant to the topics being pursued by young people in a particular year.

Participation Team

The Department also funds the services of a National Participation Office team: a National Participation Office manager, three regional Participation Officers who provide advice, resources and training to all 31 Comhairle na nÓg Coordinators and a Participation Coordinator who assists in the running of Comhairle events and communications.

The Comhairle na nÓg Coordinator is the key organiser of Comhairle na nÓg. He or she is supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Participation Officers, local colleagues and members of the Steering Committee. You can find their contact details on the local Comhairle pages here:

NATIONAL PARTICIPATION OFFICE TEAM

Renagh Hayden, National Participation Office Manager renagh.hayden@youthparticipation.ie | 086 8507285
Siobhán Hennessy, Senior Participation Officer – siobhan.hennessy@youthparticipation.ie | 086 1023099
Kevin McMahon, Participation Officer – kevin.mcmahon@youthparticipation.ie | 086 1585465
Rebecca Price, Participation Officer – rebecca.price@youthparticipation.ie | 086 0352257