Text Box: Comhairle na nÓg

Text Box: Comhairle na nÓg Comhairle na nÓg  is a national initiative, each County has a local forum where young people can speak with one voice on local and national issues of relevance to them, and ensure this voice is heard through links and partnerships with local Government and statutory and voluntary organisations in the County. Comhairle­ na nÓg creates genuine and inclusive participation for children and young people in decision making and local democracy. Comhairle na nÓg and Dáil na nÓg are recognised as the official structures for the participation of young people in strategy and policy development.   Comhairle na nÓg  in Wicklow Wicklow County Development Board hosted the first every Comhairle na nÓg event in 2002.  It has since been an annual event, bringing together young people, aged 12-18 from throughout the County to discuss issues of relevance to them, and to elect delegates to Dáil na nÓg.  The Comhairle has in the past contributed to the Council’s Play Policy and County Development Plan. In a partnership between the County Development Board and Co. Wicklow VEC, a Comhairle na nÓg Co-ordinator, funded by the Office of the Minister for Children, has been appointed with the aim of establish 5 Regional Youth Forums in line with Co. Wicklow five electoral areas:  Bray, Greystones, Wicklow, Arklow and Baltinglass.  Each forum will meet regularly and link with the adult Town Council and Area Management Meetings. Each Regional Youth Forum will elect delegates to the County wide Comhairle na nÓg and Dáil na nÓg.     Bray Young people were nominated to the Bray Area Regional Comhairle na nÓg at a Speed Lobbying event organized by Bray Partnership.  The inaugural meeting of the Bray Comhairle na nÓg will take place in June.   Wicklow A Youth Consultation day was held in May, at which a Wicklow Area Comhairle na nÓg was formed. The inaugural meeting of the Wicklow Comhairle na nÓg will take place in June.   Arklow A Youth Consultation day was held in May, at which young people were elected to the Arklow Area Comhairle na nÓg. The inaugural meeting of the Arklow Area Comhairle na nÓg will take place in July.   Baltinglass A Youth Consultation day will take place in Baltinglass on Tuesday 24th June at 3pm.  All young people aged between 12-18 who are living in, or attending school in the area are invited to attend.  You must book a place, to do so, please contact Mary Mooty, Comhairle na nÓg Co-ordinator.  Download parental permission slip.   Useful links Comhairle na nÓg Dáil na nÓg Office of the Minister for Children Wicklow County Development Board     To find out more, book your place on the Baltinglass Youth Consultation day or get involved: Contact: Mary Mooty Comhairle na nÓg Co-ordinator Wicklow VEC PO Box 15, Church Street, Wicklow Town, Co Wicklow   (t) 0404 60518 (m) 086 0460510 (e) mmooty@wicklowvec.ie