Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was hoping to come in on youth information, which Eric spoke about. We all depend on our phones and are always looking at information. There is a lot of valuable information on the Internet but there is a lot of misinformation as well. The witnesses made the point that it is very difficult to navigate it. Sometimes people end up following a social media account that puts out information that is totally false and misleading. There was reference to a source of youth information. I ask the witnesses to expand on how best to provide reliable information for young people on issues that are important to them.

There was reference to mental health supports, which are important. I am from County Cavan, which has been in the top 3 counties in the Twenty-six Counties for suicide rates in recent years. The rate is particularly high among young people. As a former teacher, I knew many of the young people who took their own lives. It is devastating for everybody. There are different methods being used to try to address the situation but a lack of supports for youth, youth clubs and volunteers adds to the problem. Is there a way to address that issue? Within the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, the youth aspect receives the least funding. It is something that needs to be stressed. The witnesses and their peers are our future. We need to make sure we are addressing the issues affecting them and making sure they have a say in how we move on.