Dáíl na nÓg 2009 was jointly chaired by Daniel and Dara from Leitirm Youth Council

200 delegates, aged 12-18, took part in Dáil na nÓg on the 20th of February 2009 to discuss and vote on recommendations for action on physical health and mental health. Delegates are elected to Dáil na nÓg by their local Comhairle na nÓg throughout the country.

The top three recommendations on physical health voted by delegates were:

1. Cervical cancer vaccine to be made available free of charge for all 12-18 year old girls;
2. All young people should have access to sex education, which is appropriate to individual needs, comprehensive and varied in delivery;
3. P.E. should be prioritised and properly funded in and out of school because health and fitness is as important as education.

The top three recommendations on mental health voted by delegates were:

1. The government needs to implement a structured SPHE course for Senior Cycle students incorporating positive mental health awareness and develop an on-line support service.
2. Mandatory mental health awareness workshops in all schools to raise awareness about symptoms, supports and effects of mental health issues.
3. A nationwide awareness campaign that would promote positive mental health and decrease the stigma, which would reduce the numbers of suicide in young people.

Barry Andrews TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, addressed the delegates and stated that he and the Government is committed to listening to the views of children and young people and ensuring that they are included in decision-making.

The Questions and Answers session was chaired by Eddie D’Arcy, President, National Youth Council of Ireland, during which delegates sought answers from the Minister and senior policy makers on the issues discussed during the day.

The panel members for the Questions and Answers session were:
• Barry Andrews TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
• Sylda Langford, Director General, Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
• Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Children
• Geoff Day, Head of National Office for Suicide Prevention, Population Health, HSE
• Martin Rogan, Assistant National Director with responsibility for Mental Health, HSE
• Bairbre Nic Aongusa, Director, Office for Disability and Mental Health, Department of Health and Children
• Catherine Murphy, Assistant Director with responsibility for Population Health, HSE
• Sharon McGrath, National Co-ordinator SPHE

Daniel and Dara will follow up on the recommendations from Dáil na nÓg 2009 on the Dáil na nÓg council for the next year.

If you have any views on these recommendations or youth services/facilities in general be sure to leave a comment on this page which Leitrim Youth council will value.


Based on an article featured on the Dáil na nÓg website: http://dailnanog.ie/2006/site/articl...

Dáil na nÓg 2008
On Friday the 15th of February four of our Leitrim delegated made the lingering journey to the annual meeting of the Dáil na nóg at the Hogan Suite, Croke Park, Dublin. Dáil na nóg is made up of 200 delegates aged 12-17 from around the country.Delegates are elected to Dáil na nÓg by the 34 Comhairle na nÓg throughout the country

The themes up for discussion this year were education reform and mental health. These themes were voted on to be discussed by the 34 Comhairle throughout the country and so displayed the importance of these particular topics to the young people of Ireland.

Leitrim was represented at the eventh annual Dáil na nóg by James Curneen, Dara Dunne Lambe, Niamh Flynn and Daniel Stenson . Upon arrival in Croke park our delegates we greeted by the minister for children Brendan smith. After the meet and greet and the usual formalities each of our delegates were placed in working groups with other delegates from around the country representing various Comhairles from around the country. Each working group came up with a statement which they felt should be acted on the government and which would also help benefit the everyday lives of young people around the country. All the statements from the working groups were voted on by the 200 delegates of the dáil na nÓg in the afternoon and the following were the key recommendations:

Education Reform
• Language subjects should be more conversational and relevant to everyday life. Pre-examination years should take part in mandatory Gaeltacht and foreign trips that are paid for, or subsidised;
• More focus on the oral aspect and culture in the teaching of all languages.
• All teachers must receive training in guidance counselling and communication skills.

Mental Health
• Accessible, youth cafes in all areas. Open when needed to provide a safe space to seek help on drug and alcohol issues and other problems;
• A positive advertising campaign that shows real life experiences and the effects of suicide on family and friends;
• More funding for mental health services for young people, including advertising and school programmes.
34 delegates have been elected to the Dáil na nÓg Council to follow-up on these recommendations during the next year. The event was attended by Minister for Children, Brendan Smith TD who opened the session by welcoming everyone and outlined the importance of youth having a voice in how the government will plan for the future.

A member of our comhairle Daniel is this years representative on the Dáíl na nÓg council (2008-2009)....The function of the Dáil na nÓg council is to adress the issues brought up at this years dáíl.