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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Donegal youth services

Summary

Deputy Pringle said youth services in Donegal were struggling badly since Covid and were vital to communities. The Taoiseach acknowledged similar problems elsewhere, said volunteer shortages were part of it, and said he would ask the relevant Minister to reply directly.

Youth services are a lifeline for many communities in Donegal. In many towns and villages throughout the county, the only facility available to locals is the local parish hall. The Taoiseach can imagine how important this hall is, not least to young people. Youth clubs are often the sole places for socialisation outside of school and provide an important and safe space for young people to develop and come together with their peers. They give young people a sense of belonging and pride in their community. Unfortunately, since Covid, youth services in Donegal have experienced many difficulties. Having spoken to youth club leaders, I know two of the main issues are ensuring there are a sufficient number of volunteers to run the service and providing transport for young people to reach the service when it is running.

We need to address these issues immediately. Our youth services are far too important and we cannot afford to lose them. One of the suggestions put forward was to encourage Ukrainian refugees in the community with an interest in youth work and community development to consider volunteering, but that will not solve the entire problem. What will the Taoiseach do to ensure the youth services in Donegal are able to keep providing those services?

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I thank the Deputy for raising a very important issue. The experiences he is having with youth services in Donegal are similar to what we are experiencing in west Dublin. It has been quite difficult to get them back up and running post Covid for lots of different reasons and the absence of volunteers is part of that. I do not want to give the Deputy an answer on the fly because I do not know enough about the detail of services in Donegal, but I appreciate that he has raised it and I might ask the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to come back to him directly.

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