31 youth councils across the country
Five Year Development Plan
7th July 2021
Launch of the Comhairle na nÓg Five Year Development Plan
Link to download the full report here:
Press Release
Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has launched the Comhairle na nÓg Five Year Development Plan at the annual Comhairle na nÓg Organisers Information Event.
Comhairle na nÓg is the structure across Ireland’s 31 local authority areas that gives children and young people a voice in decision-making on government policy, and gives rise to Ireland’s recognition as a world-leader on youth participation. This achievement has not gone unnoticed and yesterday Taoiseach, Micheál Martin T.D., took time to directly address the Comhairle na nÓg organisers, highlighting the importance of the work done by the Comhairlí. Speaking at the event An Taoiseach said:
“On the international stage, Ireland is seen as a country where children and young people’s views are listened to, respected and routinely taken on board in the public services offered to them – a place where they are seen as citizens of today and not just the adults of tomorrow. ”
The Comhairle na nÓg Five Year Development Plan, launched by Minister O’Gorman at the event, builds on the strengths of Comhairle na nÓg as a structure for allowing children and young people to have a say in decisions that affect them. The plan aims for Comhairle na nÓg to reach more children and young people, influence more decision-makers and deliver on Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to make a true difference to the lives of young people.
Launching the Five Year Plan, Minister O’Gorman said:
“I have no doubt that this Comhairle na nÓg Five Year Development Plan will only assist the Comhairle go from strength to strength. Having a plan in place will help ensure that areas requiring development in Comhairle will get the space and attention needed. I am confident that this Plan will ensure that Comhairle remains relevant and becomes even more inclusive and visible.”
The Five Year Plan was developed through consultation with young people and with stakeholders under the guidance of a Steering Committee established specifically for this purpose.
Comhairle na nÓg Five Year Development Plan working group
8 Comhairle members are currently sitting on a working group and have been tasked with developing a series of youth-friendly resources to accompany the plan. They have met twice in August and September and are working with a graphic designer to develop a suite of visuals to accompany the plan and for social media. The Youth-Friendly versions will be launched in late 2021
Comhairlí on the working group are as follows: Cavan, Cork City, Dublin South, Galway City, Galway County, Kilkenny, Leitrim and Limerick
