Johnston said: “Since elected I have been raising the need for dedicated youth services in Donabate and have been working with Crosscare youth services for the provision of such services. Donabate has a very young population with 31% of the population under 19 years of age (census 2022). This will continue to grow with so many young families moving into the area.
A recent UNICEF report found that Irish teenagers have among the lowest life satisfaction scores in high-income countries, despite excelling academically with nearly one in three 15-year-olds reporting low life satisfaction research commissioned by the Department of Children and Youth, published last year, found play and recreation amenities for adolescents are under-resourced and under-facilitated.
Johnston continued; “Our young people have no dedicated indoor space. Many are bored with nothing to do but hang around which can lead to anti social behaviour. The Minister for Justice recently confirmed in a response to Duncan Smith TD that 22 youths have been referred to youth services from Donabate in the last year.
A dedicated youth services centre can provide Youth Cafes & Group Education, Training and Employment Support, Life Coaching, Counselling Services, Summer Programmes, Mental Health and Well Being Programmes, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Film , Photography, Performing Arts as well as a drop in space with a music and games room, snooker table, kitchen area, chill out space with support from fully qualified youth workers.”
Johnston added ;”In response to a recent question raised with the Minister of Education and Youth on this matter the Minister confirmed that supporting the provision of youth services is a priority for her department and that she is committed to developing and implementing a policy for youth spaces at local level with an action plan currently being worked upon.”
Johnston concluded; ”The young people of Donabate cannot wait for plan after plan to be published with no action. A dedicated youth services centre must be provided as a matter of urgency. Early intervention is vital. It’s the very least our young people deserve. I will continue to pursue this very important matter.”