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: Renagh Hayden National Participation Office manager, and three regional Participation Officers Alexis Carey Mark O’Dwyer  Suzanne Byrne  who provide advice, resources and training to all 31 Comhairle na nÓg Coordinators. The Department also funds a Participation Coordinator, Karyn Farrell, who is the dedicated support worker for the National Executive and the LGBTI+ Youth Forum. She also is responsible for organising all monthly meetings of the National Executive, the Young People’s Networking Events, additional consultations with young people,  and is part of the coordination team for the national events each year, i.e. Dail na nÓg and the Showcase Event, among others.

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@foroige.ie | 086 8507285

Suzanne Byrne, Participation Officer – sbyrne@youthworkireland.ie | 085 831 7464

Alexis Carey, Participation Officer – alexis.carey@foroige.ie | 086 1023099

Mark Dwyer, Participation Officer – mark.odwyer@foroige.ie  | 086 0352257

Karyn Farrell, Participation Coordinator – kfarrell@youthworkireland.ie | 086 8498602