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Report of Clare County Comhairle na nÓg 2004

Clare Comhairle na nÓg 2004 (Young People’s Council) was held in the West County Hotel, Ennis on Wednesday 17th November. It is organised annually by the Clare County Development Board, Clare County Childcare Committee and Clare Sports Partnership.

The main objective of the Comhairle na nÓg is to consult with children on issues of local and national importance and to commence the establishment of permanent structures in County Clare.

Cllr Tommy Brennan, Mayor of Clare, at the opening of the Comhairle, stated that: ‘the establishment of permanent structures for youth in Clare will ensure that children are given a voice in issues that affect them.’

Cllr Flan Garvey, Cathaoirleach of Clare Sports Partnership, was also present; he supported the work of the Comhairle and encouraged the students to air their views on sport in the workshops.

During the day there were two workshops for children to participate in: ‘Recreation / Sport: Competition vs Fun’ and ‘Migration and Change in County Clare’.

Migration in Clare was acknowledged as a key issue in the county. Many young people spoke of their own experiences of migration at the workshops. On the subject of sport, it was generally agreed that there are poor facilities in girls’ schools in the county and that Physical Education should be an exam subject in all secondary schools in the country.

Approximately 80 young people attended on the day and they were representative of all parts of the county. The age category of young people present ranged from 7 to 17. Each primary and secondary school in the county is written to and invited to send representatives.

A report of the day’s events is being compiled and this will include details of the issues raised by the young people on the day as recorded by observers. A copy of the report will be forwarded to all those who attended and the National Children’s Office.

Eight representatives from County Clare will be selected to attend the 2005 Dáil na nÓg and Dáil na bPáistí, along with children from all over the country. The Dáil na nÓg 2005 will be held in Spring 2005.

Also representatives from the Clare Comhairle na nÓg will be elected on the National Youth Forum as well as the Heritage Forum and Play Policy Implementation Group in County Clare.

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